Media Advisory

First art museum west of Mississippi River to open new facilities Oct. 25 by Fumihiko Maki, architect of Tower 4 at World Trade Center site.

WHO:Fumihiko Maki, a former Washington University professor and architect of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum as well as Tower 4 at the World Trade Center Site and the $330 million United Nations expansion; Sabine Eckmann, director of the Kemper Art Museum.

WHAT:Preview of the new museum. Maki and Eckmann will be available for short interviews on a first-come, first-serve basis.

WHERE:Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, near the intersection of Skinker and Forsyth boulevards. From Skinker, take Forsyth west to Hoyt Drive. Turn right onto Hoyt and then right again into the parking lot adjacent to the museum. Limited media parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

WHEN:10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 24. Maki and Eckmann will present brief remarks at 10 a.m. and then be available for one-on-one interviews. To reserve a time slot with Maki, call Liam Otten at (314) 935-8494.

On Oct. 25 Washington University will open its new Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, designed by renowned architect Fumihiko Maki. A former Washington University architecture professor, Maki is currently developing two of the world's highest-profile building projects: Tower 4 at the World Trade Center site and the $330 million United Nations expansion. His very first building was the university's previous museum facility, Steinberg Hall, which opened in 1960.

The Kemper Art Museum dates back to 1881 as the St. Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts -- the first art museum west of the Mississippi River. It houses one of the nation's finest university collections, including important works by major modern and contemporary artists. The museum is the centerpiece of the new Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, which combines Washington University's nationally ranked programs in art and architecture. The five-building complex also includes Steinberg Hall and a new Maki-designed studio art facility, Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Hall.

A formal dedication for the Kemper Art Museum and Walker Hall is at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25. To RSVP for the dedication, call (314) 935-7382 or email sylviastoll@wustl.edu. Following the dedication, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., will be a public open house for the entire Sam Fox School complex. For more information about the open house, call (314) 935-4523 or visit wustl.edu.

* Shuttle service will be available from the MUNY parking lot in Forest Park to the Sam Fox School from 2 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25.