Hidden in plain sight on both of PNW’s campuses are millions of dollars in sculptures and other unique artwork, which were all donated or loaned to the university.

Most students don’t even notice, but the 800 pieces of art on PNW’s campuses are there to enhance the academic experience.

“The art on campus is chosen because it is interesting and can spark a conversation,” said Judith Jacobi, PNW’s part-time art curator. “Art is a powerful portal to learning. Our art collection speaks volumes about diversity and multiculturalism, international perspectives and rich partnerships.”

The art on campus is meant to catch a student’s or professor’s eye, offer moments of contemplation or just be enjoyed. 

“PNW has received tremendous reviews in the press, in books and magazines and has received awards for innovation from the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana because of the art on campus,” said Jacobi. “This gave PNW tons of recognition and helps foster a good environment for students to learn, for professors to teach and for staff to experience. We have been told by prospective students, family and decision makers that the art attracts them to the school.”

Some of the art has special meaning. For example, on the second floor of the Porter building in Hammond is a display of photographs by Carole Harmel, who took portraits of well-known Chicago artists like Phyllis Bramson and William Conger.  The collection, called “Chicago Odyssey,” is a series of images in which the artists styled themselves to reflect the style of their own artwork. 

Many pieces in PNW’s collection are valuable. One set of five sculptures and more than 200 pieces of flat art by New York artist George Sugarman is valued at around $1 million. Some of his works are located in SULB and the Gyte building on the Hammond campus and many are located in Westville, too.

Sugarman was a 20th century abstract action painter who has had huge bodies of work on three different continents. Some of his work resides in museums like the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor museum in New York’s Hudson Valley. He is credited with coining the phrase “public sculpture.” The George Sugarman Foundation reports that PNW has the largest collection of Sugarman’s work.

“Over 600 pieces of art was collected in the past three years is insured at $2 million,” said Jacobi. 

Anyone interested in learning more about PNW’s art collection can arrange a free 45-minute tour by Jacobi, who provides a brief history of the artwork and the artists. Tours can be scheduled by emailing Jacobi at [email protected].