Saroyan statue: restoring a Fresno landmark

by Mary Lisa Russell

The familiar "Tribute to William Saroyan" statue earlier this month was moved from downtown Fresno to the Art and Design Department at Fresno State, to be refurbished by art and design students under faculty supervision.

As part of a plan to save the 30-foot-tall Saroyan statue from neglect and the elements, Fresno State Armenian studies professor Dickran Kouymjian began a collaborative effort to preserve artist Varaz Samuelian's creation.

"We haven't really come up with a perm-anent display location yet," said Kouymjian. "I'm just thankful the statue is safe and that a firm commitment has been made to its preservation."

Kouymjian said it would have been ideal to restore the statue in its original location. Since this was not possible, Kouymjian felt it was important for the statue to be secure.

"Thanks to President John Welty, the statue of William Saroyan . . . will be restored to its original state," said Kouymjian.

Under the direction of sculpture professor Ed Gillum, students from the Department of Art and Design will begin working on the statue's restoration. Kouymjian said the students will receive special Armenian studies scholarships for their efforts.

"The students will mostly be doing clean-up and refurbishing," said Gillum. Typically, students majoring in art and design work in such areas as ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, and a host of other disciplines. Gillum felt this would be a great opportunity for the students to build on their expertise.

"The students are not coming into this as experts, but they will learn a lot," said Gillum. "That's what we, as faculty, are supposed to be doing here -- educating them above and beyond the norm, and giving them professional and educational opportunities."

Kouymjian said Gillum was a likely choice for refurbishing the statue. "He is considered an expert in his field."

Thanks to Kouymjian, the Armenian Studies Program, and the university, Fresno State has acquired the majority of Samuelian's art collection. According to Kouymjian, there are hundreds of sculptures, paintings and sketches currently in storage. He said the collection needs a permanent home and needs to be properly catalogued.

Samuelian, who died in 1995, is best known for his monumental bronze statue of David of Sassoun, which stands in Fresno's Courthouse Park.

City officials have expressed an interest in providing an appropriate location for the William Saroyan statue, possibly in a high-traffic area that would showcase it when it is completely refurbished.

Sites that have been suggested are downtown near the William Saroyan Theatre or the Selland Arena.