Dr. Oliver H. Evans, president of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, is inviting the public to join Kendall's faculty, students and staff to the first event to be held in the renovated structure known as the Historic Federal Building. This 'soft' opening of the building on Tuesday, May 1 will utilize the newly updated Galleries on the first floor to exhibit the work of Kendall's Studio Excellence Award winners selected from the graduating class of 2012. The always popular Annual Student Exhibition of creative work completed by the remainder of the student body will be available for self-guided tours on all seven floors of Kendall's main building across the street at 17 Fountain St., NW.

The 'soft' opening will begin at 4:00 p.m. with brief remarks in the Decorative Arts Corridor on the west side of the first floor. The building will be open until 7:00 p.m. for self-guided tours. Light refreshments will be served and the event is free of charge. The Historic Federal Building is located at 17 Pearl St, NW. This event will be the only opportunity for the public to tour the facility until a later date in the fall when an official Grand Opening will be held.