Dollywood Fireplace

Kevin was honored with his second commission for Dollywood's theme park in 2023, through which he was tasked to design North America's largest indoor fireplace. The project will be situated at Dollywood's latest 5-star resort, The Heart Song Lodge and Resort, nestled in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This resort is the second of two sister properties alongside the recently acquired Dream More Resort, specifically for the guests of Dollywood Theme Park. The design team and staff at Dollywood approached Kevin with a unique concept: developing a large metal fire screen with doors for their new fireplace at the resort. They envisioned a charming depiction of Dolly Parton as a child, seated beneath an oak tree adorned with beautiful butterflies, all crafted by Kevin using hand-formed and aged-looking steel. Recognizing Kevin's talent in metal shaping and his successful past contributions, the Dollywood team believed he was the ideal choice to bring this intricate fire screen to life. Over a period of six months, Kevin worked closely with his wife Michelle, dedicating numerous hours to experimenting with different patina finishes to achieve an aged, blackened look on the metal. They also explored new metal shaping techniques to create the trees, leaves, and textures of the project. Their collaborative effort resulted in a visually stunning metal landscape that showcases a youthful Dolly Parton. Future guests at the Heart Song Resort will have the opportunity to appreciate Kevin and Michelle's exquisite fireplace screen, enhancing the comforting ambiance of the fire in the resort's main lobby. This piece promises to be a long-standing attraction for many years to come.