'Amarillo Cowboy' finally finds a home at City Hall

After months of uncertainty and procedural delays, the “Amarillo Cowboy” statue has officially found a home at City Hall. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Amarillo City Council approved the first reading of a new policy establishing how the city will review and accept donations of public artwork. The move is intended to provide structure and transparency for future gifts and to prevent confusion similar to what surrounded the Cowboy statue.

City Manager Grayson Path introduced the new policy, emphasizing that while accepting artwork may seem straightforward, it can involve complex questions of ownership, maintenance, and representation.

“Accepting artwork may look simple, but it’s one of the more challenging things we handle,” Path said. “This policy gives council a structured and transparent process to decide what reflects the city’s values.”

Path explained that the framework is grounded in the concept of government speech, meaning that when the city displays art on public property, it expresses its own message rather than offering a platform for private viewpoints. “That gives you discretion to determine what best represents Amarillo,” he said.

Under the proposed policy, all donations would first be reviewed by the City Secretary’s Office before being brought to council for public consideration. Review criteria would include artistic, community, and historical merit; adherence to community standards; viewpoint neutrality; financial feasibility; and clear ownership and removal terms.

Councilmember Les Simpson praised the draft policy but suggested that submissions should demonstrate community support before being considered.

“I think this is a good policy,” Simpson said. “But there should be some kind of threshold — maybe that a donor be a citizen of Amarillo or that there’s clear community support — so the council doesn’t get bogged down reviewing every single item.”

Simpson also sought legal clarity regarding whether the council could approve the Cowboy statue donation before the policy’s formal adoption. City Attorney Bryan McWilliams reassured the council that they had full discretion to accept donations at any time.

“It doesn’t,” McWilliams said. “The policy isn’t finalized yet, but acceptance of statues and artwork is the province of the council. It’s entirely at your discretion. Even after adoption, you could revisit any acceptance if needed.”

Following the legal guidance, Simpson addressed King Hill and his wife, Diane Hill, whose statue donation had been delayed due to procedural uncertainty.

“I spoke with King and Diane last night,” Simpson said. “They told me how we got here, and frankly, we owe them an apology. This process wasn’t handled well. They were just trying to do something good for Amarillo.”

The council then voted unanimously to accept the statue. Mayor Cole Stanley described the decision as a closure to a lingering chapter in the city’s public art history.

“It feels good to finally be able to schedule an unveiling and accept a gift that honors the Hill family for contributing to Amarillo’s Western heritage,” Stanley said. “It’s the right piece in the right place. It represents Amarillo’s grit, pride, and perseverance.”

Stanley added that the new art-donation policy would help prevent similar delays or confusion in the future. “This gives us a clear process that’s fair to artists and accountable to the community,” he said.

After the meeting, King Hill said he and his wife were relieved and grateful that the statue had been accepted.

“There’s a sense of fidelity — a sense of coming full circle,” Hill said. “Diane and I are grateful to Councilman Simpson for issuing an apology and to both Councilmen Simpson and Prescott for making and seconding the motion. We’re just happy the situation is finally resolved.”

Hill noted that the statue’s unveiling could occur soon, possibly before the end of October, though the city has not yet set an official date. He emphasized that the donation is not just an art installation but a tribute to his family’s connection to Amarillo and its Western heritage.

“It’s very rewarding,” Hill said. “That was the whole point of our gift. My father loved this community. He had opportunities to leave, but he chose to stay. Now, when people visit City Hall, they’ll see a reminder of that legacy — and of Amarillo’s cowboy heart. It’s the right place for it to be.”

The new art-donation policy aims to balance artistic expression with community values, providing the council with a clear, structured path for considering public gifts. With the Cowboy statue now officially accepted, Amarillo can move forward with a system that ensures future donations honor the city’s culture and heritage while avoiding procedural missteps.

By formally adopting the policy, the city signals that it is committed to transparency, fairness, and careful stewardship of public spaces, all while celebrating the artistic and historical contributions of its citizens. The Cowboy statue serves as both a literal and symbolic reminder of Amarillo’s Western roots, community pride, and commitment to thoughtful civic planning.