“Epic of the Plains Indians”

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - The William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art at California Lutheran University is now open to the public on a continuing basis.

The inaugural exhibition, “Highlights and Selections,” will be on display through Saturday, March 10. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. A “Tea and Talk” featuring master sculptor David L. Spellerberg, the Westlake Village artist who created the bronze statue of a football player that stands outside the stadium, is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

“Highlights and Selections” features pieces from Rolland’s eclectic collection. It features many late 19th- and early 20th-century bronze sculptures and oil and watercolor paintings representing both classic and early modern themes and styles. The bronze series “Epic of the Plains Indians” by the late sculptor Harold Shelton depicts the life of a Native American. The collection of paintings includes landscapes, still lifes and historic subjects. A 1980 Grant King Indy 500 racecar with an original Drake-Offy engine is also showcased.

Possibly the country's only dedicated art gallery housed inside a stadium, the 2,200-foot space is located in the new William Rolland Stadium on the Thousand Oaks campus. The sleek, modern gallery features dramatic recessed lighting, a decorative ceiling with a floating panel, a highly polished tile floor and floor-to-ceiling bronze-tinted windows.

Rolland, who donated $5.45 million for the stadium, requested that the facility include a gallery that could display his art. The real estate developer and former Los Angeles City firefighter, who has homes in Westlake Village and Malibu, began buying pieces in the mid-1950s and has amassed a huge collection ranging from 17th-century to contemporary works. Future exhibits will feature additional pieces from his collection as well as other artworks.

The stadium is located on the north side of Olsen Road between Campus Drive and Mountclef Boulevard.

Admission to the gallery and the events is free. The gallery will be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1. For more information or to make an appointment to visit the gallery outside of the regular hours, contact curator Jeff Phillips at 805-493-3697.