May 8, 2025
Ferris State’s KCAD invites community to celebrate creativity at 2025 Annual Student Exhibition closing reception in downtown Grand Rapids
Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art and Design invites the Grand Rapids community to join a special two-part closing reception celebrating the creative talents of its graduating students this Friday, May 9 from 3 to 7 p.m.
The reception marks the culmination of the 2025 KCAD Annual Student Exhibition, which for the first time spans two prominent downtown venues: the Grand Gallery skywalk at DeVos Place Convention Center and KCAD's 17 Fountain St. NW building.
The celebration will begin at 3 p.m. on KCAD's campus before continuing at DeVos Place from 4 to 7 p.m., with a free shuttle bus available to transport visitors between the two locations throughout the event. This new format allows guests to fully experience the diverse range of works from KCAD's 2025 graduates.
"The 2025 Annual Student Exhibition is a powerful expression of our students' creativity, vision, and growth," KCAD President Tara McCrackin said. "This year's expanded format brings even more visibility to their accomplishments and invites the broader community to experience the future of art and design firsthand. We are incredibly proud to celebrate these emerging creative leaders as they take the next step in their journeys."
The Annual Student Exhibition, running from May 3 to 11, showcases outstanding work from graduating seniors across all KCAD programs, including Collaborative Design, Digital Art and Design, Fashion Studies, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Life Sciences and Pre-Medical Illustration, Photography, Product Design, and Studio Arts.
Both exhibition venues are open to the public throughout the week-long celebration, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the interconnected creative spaces before the exhibition concludes.
The closing reception provides a special opportunity for community members to engage with innovative art and design in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.
Industry professionals are encouraged to connect with the next generation of creative talent, while art collectors can take the opportunity to discover and purchase works by emerging artists.
An online exhibition is available at kcad.edu/ase, complementing the physical exhibition spaces.
The annual tradition culminates with KCAD’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10 at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.
Supporting sponsors include: ASM Global, Custer, Interphase Interiors | Haworth, and Rapid Growth Media; Program Sponsors: AHC Hospitality, Boxed Water, DK Security, Granger Construction, Fishbeck, Landscape Forms, Mathison | Mathison Architects, River City Mechanical, and Van Dyken Mechanical; and Friends Sponsors: Blick Art Materials, C.C. Sullivan, Grand Valley Automation Inc, Via Design, and VizCom Media.
Please visit kcad.edu/events for more information.