EAST LANSING, MI.- The Friends of Kresge Art Museum is throwing a party in honor of the museum’s 50th anniversary from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009, at the MSU Radiology Building and Gardens. Guests may stroll through the gardens in spring bloom, raise a glass to toast the museum, and enjoy confections donated by A Piece O’ Cake bakery. As part of the celebration, area bakers were challenged to design artful, edible masterpieces befitting the museum’s 50th. Vivian Dwyer and Greater Lansing Potters’ Guild and MSU Clay Club members also have designed decorative cake platters to commemorate the anniversary.

All items will be auctioned at the event to benefit the museum’s programs. Participating bakers to date include Country Club of Lansing, Cookies by Design, James Avenue Catering, L&L Food Centers, A Piece O’ Cake, Cakes-A-Bloomin, Roman Cake Designs, The Bunt Man, Sweetie Pie Pantry, Golden Rose, and Silver Service Catering.

In honor of the museum’s inaugural date, May, 1959, Kresge Art Museum will give special recognition to guests who were born in the month of May. By attending the 50th anniversary party or visiting the museum in May, they will receive a complimentary one-year individual membership to the Kresge Art Museum. Valid documentation of birth month is required. “I want to get at something like this as a way for us to give back to the community especially in these trying economic times. The party is to thank all of our supporters, big and small. We also hope that our new May members will enjoy their experiences at Kresge Art Museum and will inspire them to return many times, bring other guests and family, and to become long-time members,” said Susan J. Bandes, museum director.

This is one in a series of signature events throughout the year to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary. The event is free to Friends of Kresge; $5 for guests.

Admission to Kresge Art Museum is free. Kresge Art Museum is located in Kresge Art Center, at the intersection of Physics and Auditorium Roads between the Alumni Chapel and the MSU Auditorium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. The museum is closed May 23-25 as well as July 4-6. Museum hours through May 31, 2009, are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Beginning June 1, KAM adopts summer hours, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and closed Mondays. The museum is closed in August, and reopens to the public on September 8, 2009. For additional information, call (517) 355-7631 or visit www.artmuseum.msu.edu.