A recent Executive Arrangements (EA) tour offered a closer look at Case Western Reserve University art and how works from The Putnam Collection are woven throughout campus. From outdoor spaces to building entrances, hallways, atriums, and gathering areas, the art is part of everyday campus life. Part of what makes the collection so interesting is how thoughtfully many of the works are placed.
Our evening began at Tinkham Veale University Center, or “Tink,” as it is commonly known on campus. Kathy Barrie, Director/Curator of The Putnam Collection, and longtime friend of EA, joined to welcome the group. From there, Marilyn Burnett, Associate Curator of The Putnam Collection, led us around campus and into several buildings, sharing the stories behind the works and pointing out details we might otherwise have missed. Marilyn and her husband also worked with EA after their relocation to Cleveland.
Art Everywhere, for Everyone
A brochure Marilyn shared describes The Putnam Collection as “Art Everywhere, for Everyone.” The collection is supported by an endowment established in 1980 by Cleveland philanthropist Mildred Andrews Putnam and her son Peter. Over time, more than 100 works in a range of media and artistic styles have been brought to campus through the Putnam Committee.
For newcomers and longtime residents alike, Case’s art collection is another reason to explore University Circle. Even people who are well versed in the area may not realize how much art is woven throughout the campus.
The campus itself is also worth a closer look. We passed the Peter B. Lewis Building, home of the Weatherhead School of Management. Designed by architect Frank Gehry and completed in 2002, its sweeping stainless steel exterior is one of University Circle’s most recognizable architectural landmarks.
Art has a Purpose at the Mandel School
One of the most meaningful parts of the tour came during our time at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Here, the connection between the art and the purpose of the building is clear.
The artwork inside and outside the Mandel School reflects real people and real experiences, from family and opportunity to race, social justice and stories that too often go unseen.
A powerful example is George Segal’s The Homeless, a bronze sculpture at the school’s entrance that depicts two people living on the street at life size. Its placement at the Mandel School feels especially meaningful given the school’s focus on social work, community and creating a more just and inclusive society.
The Art: Up Close
Margaret Boland’s painting, known on our tour as “Zombie Bride,” includes references to contemporary art, including imagery inspired by Takashi Murakami. Photo courtesy of Executive Arrangements. 
Judy’s Hand by Tony Tasset brings a playful and larger than life presence to Toby’s Plaza near the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. Photo courtesy of Executive Arrangements. 
Cleveland artist Charmaine Spencer’s sculptural vessel. Photo courtesy of Executive Arrangements. 
Cleveland artist Moe Brooker’s Right Before Your Eyes. Photo courtesy of Executive Arrangements.
More Than Meets the Eye
One of the most visually striking stops was Julian Stanczak’s Proportional Mixing, an installation made up of 30 panels that fills a soaring wall inside the Mandel School. A longtime Cleveland Institute of Art professor, Stanczak became internationally known as a pioneer of Optical Art (Op Art). Op Art uses geometric shapes, lines, and color to create visual effects that can seem to shift, vibrate or create a sense of depth. In person, Stanczak’s work seems to evolve the longer you look.
Art that Starts a Conversation
Elsewhere in the Mandel School, the art opens the door to conversations about identity, race, family, opportunity and belonging. Antwoine Washington’s work uses recurring symbols, including a Black panther and a police helicopter, to reflect his experiences as a Black man and father in the United States.
Nearby, Cleveland sculptor Charmaine Spencer brings a different perspective through tactile and unexpected materials that explore memory, ancestry, value and resilience. Together, the works show how art can do more than fill a space. It can start a conversation, bring overlooked experiences forward and give viewers a reason to think more deeply about the people and stories around them.
Honoring Those Who Paved the Way
Our tour also took us past CWRU’s Trailblazer portraits, which recognize people connected to the university who broke barriers, led in their fields and made a lasting impact on CWRU, Cleveland and beyond.
The project includes figures such as civil rights attorney Fred Gray, architect Robert P. Madison, former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Congressman Louis Stokes. Opposite the portrait wall is the Louis Stokes “Aim High” exhibit, which offers a closer look at his impact on Cleveland and the country.
More to Discover
Our walking tour covered only a portion of the art at CWRU. The biggest takeaway was not the number of pieces or even the famous names represented. It was how naturally the art is woven into everyday campus life. Marilyn gave us a reason to take a moment, ask why a piece was there, and look for details we might otherwise miss.
There is even more to discover outdoors. Tony Smith’s Spitball sits on Case Quad, Philip Johnson’s Turning Point anchors East Bell Commons, and Tony Tasset’s Judy’s Hand Pavilion stands on Toby’s Plaza somewhat behind the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. These were not all stops on our tour, but they are worth looking for the next time you are in the area.
Whether you are new to Cleveland or have lived here for years, the next time you are in University Circle, take a closer look around Case Western Reserve University’s campus. There is a good chance something worth noticing is already right in front of you.
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