City Offered Gift of Remington Statue

When William Rolland decided he wanted to donate art to the city, he wasn’t horsing around.

His offer to contribute a 7-foot statue of a cowboy on a horse will be reviewed by the Thousand Oaks Arts Commission next month. Commissioners will make a recommendation to the City Council on whether to accept the gift.

“It would bring back the reminder of the heritage, which we all share in this community,” said Rolland, 66, a developer who has lived in the city for more than 30 years. “It really retraces our roots. I know of no better way I can participate other than to give a piece of valuable Western art to the citizens of Thousand Oaks.”

The statue was made by Frederic Remington, one of the most prominent Western artists of the last 100 years.

“Remington really captures the passion and spirit of the Old West,” said John Gorham, one of the 11 commissioners who will review the proposal. “I’m happy about this because it was a ranching community for many decades, and this was the place where it all started. As far as Thousand Oaks goes, it was ranches that put it on the map.”

Although it’s likely the commission will recommend the project to the council, several factors must still be taken into consideration, including whether the piece integrates well with the city and where it could be placed. Just a couple of years ago, the commission turned down a futuristic piece with solar panels because it “stood out like a sore thumb,” Gorham said.

But most Western pieces are usually appropriate, said Patrick McMinn, another commissioner.

“I certainly hope they’ll accept it,” said Rolland, adding that he doesn’t intend to take a tax deduction on the donation. “The response I’ve had from [friends] that know I’m giving it to the city has been overwhelming, and I’d hope that I’m able to share it with others, and the city will allow me to do that.”

Rolland purchased the statue in June for an undisclosed sum after his friend saw it during a trip to London. He had it shipped to Long Beach and has it stored at his Malibu home.

Rolland would like to see the statue placed at the northeast corner of Hillcrest Drive and Lynn Road.

“It’s a perfect location for a horse,” Rolland said. “There are horse trails just behind that location. The corner is ideally situated for a statue. When I look through it in my eyes, I visualize it being there.”