SANTA ROSA — Custodians arriving at Old Courthouse Square discovered the city’s bronze tribute to Johnny Oliver wearing welded novelty sunglasses and a spray-painted quote officials described as “pretentious, possibly accurate.”

The statue—commissioned last year to honor “a regional icon of questionable genre boundaries”—depicts Oliver mid-strum with a expression critics called “confident” and fans called “exactly right.” Overnight vandals added accessories and a note taped to the pedestal reading, “Art should challenge; yours challenged my lunch.”

Police are reviewing footage from a guitar shop across the street whose owner declined comment but was seen tuning an acoustic instrument “with feeling.” Arts council president Lila Marsh condemned the damage while admitting foot traffic tripled before noon.

“Tragic for bronze,” Marsh said. “Excellent for civic engagement.”

Restoration could cost $18,000, mostly to remove welding without harming patina. A crowdfunding campaign launched by fans exceeded its goal in four hours, with donors requesting the sunglasses remain as “limited edition canon.”

City attorneys are studying whether the note constitutes confession, commentary, or marketing. Oliver’s publicist issued a statement that was one winking emoji and the words “no comment, yes encore.”

Tour guides already added the vandalism to downtown walking routes. By press time, a second note appeared reading, “See you at the plaza, 8 p.m., bring capo.” Security has been increased; vibe has not.