Friends Newsletter
President’s Letter, April 2026
True story. A pair of ducks adopted my younger son for years. I don’t know that it was always the same pair of ducks, but every spring by the lake, a pair would approach him each time we visited. Then one year, as we turned into the alley behind our house, there was a pair of ducks. The next day, they were on the roof of the garage of the house opposite, peering into our backyard. After that, a pair would show up at our house each year for a few days, seemingly ensuring that all was well. Since our son went off to college, though, the ducks have disappeared. I miss them.
Ducks are my harbinger of spring. For many, spring’s signal is flowers. Luckily for you, this is the time to revel in flowers at Mia, for Art in Bloom is almost here! From April 23 to 26, Mia will be filled with gorgeous floral displays created by our community. While this event is a gift to all, it’s also the Friends’ largest fundraiser of the year. We raise funds through ticket sales to floral workshops and Party in Bloom, as well as from the donation boxes in the museum. We hope you can attend these events and help support the work of the Friends and bring thousands of school children from around the region to the museum. Read on for all things Art in Bloom!
Of course, we wouldn’t be Friends without offering even more activities. This month we’ll visit the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park for a private tour on April 8 followed by lunch. Mia’s own Rachel McGarry, the Elizabeth MacMillan Chair and Curator of European Art, will discuss “Stars of the North: The Formation of Mia’s Exceptional Collection of European Art” at her lecture on Thursday, April 16. Don’t forget to sign up for a free pre-lecture tour that day by calling Mia at 612-870-3000. Finally, the book club will discuss The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali on April 17 and 18. All the details are below. We can’t wait to have you join us!
Thank you for being a Friend,
Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute
Important April Dates
• April 8, 2026: Friends Member Outing: Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory
• April 16, 2026: Friends Lecture: Rachel McGarry
• April 17 and 18, 2026: Friends Book Club: The Lion Women of Tehran
Art in Bloom Dates
• April 22, 2026: Party in Bloom
• April 24–26, 2026: Art in Bloom Floral Workshops
• April 26, 2026: Art in Bloom Family Day
April Friends Lecture: Rachel McGarry
• Stars of the North: The Formation of Mia’s Exceptional Collection of European Art
• Thursday, April 16, 2026, 11 a.m.
• Pillsbury Auditorium
• Free; tickets required
Rachel McGarry, Mia’s Elizabeth MacMillan Chair and Curator of European Art
Join us on April 16 at 11 a.m. for an engaging talk by Rachel McGarry, Mia’s Elizabeth MacMillan Chair and Curator of European Art. She’ll present “Stars of the North: The Formation of Mia’s Exceptional Collection of European Art.”
McGarry holds an MA and a PhD from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, where she specialized in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. Before joining Mia, she worked at Christie’s and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Mia boasts one of the world’s preeminent collections of European art outside Europe. This talk will explore the remarkable stories behind the formation of this internationally acclaimed collection. Since Mia opened in 1915, generations of directors, collectors, patrons, and curators have shaped the collection’s growth through strategic vision, ambition, and timely opportunity. The talk will focus on Mia’s first 40 formative years, with highlights from each decade of the museum’s history. We’ll consider the triumphs and setbacks, evolving tastes and art market trends, and the personalities and institutional ambitions that shaped Mia and its European holdings on the path to becoming a leading American art museum.
Reserve free tickets for this lecture.
Friends Pre-Lecture Tour
The Friends offer free tours the hour before each lecture. These tours are themed to align with the lecture topic. Attendance is limited to 30 participants (15 per guide), and participants meet outside the Friends Office. Reserve your spot by calling Mia’s Visitor Engagement at 612-870-3000.
Volunteer Opportunity
We’re always looking for volunteers to usher these events. It’s a great way to meet new Friends and be part of our community. If you’d like to volunteer, email us.
Art in Bloom
Every year when the light softens and the first hints of green return, I find myself counting down the days to Art in Bloom at Mia. There’s something incredibly special about watching Mia welcome spring in full color. I would truly love for you to experience it with me April 23–26, 2026.
For four days, the galleries come alive with imaginative floral creations inspired by works from Mia’s collection. As you wander from room to room, you’re met with the scent of fresh blossoms and the joyful surprise of seeing art reinterpreted in petals, branches, and vibrant arrangements. It’s uplifting and inspiring, and it feels like a deep breath after a long winter.
I’m especially excited about this year’s signature artwork, Presentation Vase Decorated with Birds and Flowers. This stunning Japanese vase, adorned with graceful birds nestled among flowering branches, feels like a love letter to spring itself. The delicate details and vibrant natural imagery make it a perfect representative for this treasured event.
What I cherish most about Art in Bloom is the sense of shared delight. It’s families, friends, and first-time visitors all pausing together to admire something beautiful. It’s color returning to our world after a challenging winter. It’s a community coming together to celebrate the beauty of spring. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this beloved tradition and in welcoming spring in the most artful way possible.
—Amanda Luke, Co-Chair, Art in Bloom
Party in Bloom: An Evening of Elegance, Artistry, and Spring in Full Bloom
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 5:30–11 p.m.
• Mia galleries
Party in Bloom is the evening everyone looks forward to, and you’re invited to be part of it. Be among the first to step inside Mia for a stylish preview of Art in Bloom. Stroll in select galleries filled with florals, fashion, and vibrant after-hours energy.
Sip botanical cocktails from Steady Pour, enjoy delicious bites from Bûcheron (named 2025’s Best Restaurant), and discover a fresh spring fashion pop-up from MartinPatrick3. With live music, picture-perfect moments, and a wonderful crowd gathered in celebration, it’s a spring soirée you’ll be so glad you didn’t miss.
This year, the celebration unfolds across three distinct ticket tiers—each offering its own curated way to experience the night in full splendor.
Friends VIP: 5:30–11 p.m.
This is the ultimate way to experience Party in Bloom—and the most coveted invitation of the evening. Arrive ahead of the crowd. Enjoy the ease of complimentary valet parking, ensuring your arrival is as polished and effortless as the evening itself. Once inside, enjoy early access to select galleries before the celebration unfolds. Retreat to an exclusive VIP lounge featuring a hosted bar, champagne toast, elevated bites and desserts, and an elegant setting designed for mingling in style. Thoughtful floral touches, premium perks, and a luxe take-home gift complete the experience.
Reserved exclusively for Friends of the Institute, with availability intentionally limited.
Artful Access: 7–11 p.m.
Enjoy an elevated way to celebrate. Enjoy complimentary valet parking and step into the main festivities with the added indulgence of a private lounge retreat featuring hosted wine and beer, a dessert tower curated by Bûcheron, and exclusive floral-inspired party favors. Sip and savor between gallery strolls while taking in fashion presentations by Martin Patrick3 and immersive floral moments. Designed for guests who appreciate a touch of refinement woven seamlessly throughout the evening.
General Admission: 7–11 p.m.
When the doors open, the celebration comes to life! Enjoy a red-carpet arrival with complimentary valet parking. Indulge in passed appetizers by Bûcheron, cash bars, live music, vibrant floral installations, fashion moments from Martin Patrick3, and lively pop-ups throughout the museum. Energetic, social, and delightfully immersive—it’s the kind of evening you’ll wish would linger just a little longer.
Art in Bloom: Come Together and Create Workshops
• Friday, April 24–Sunday, April 26, 2026
• Tickets required
Grab your friends, family, book club chums, and gardening buddies for an hour and a half of creative fun with Sarah Arnold of Bloomcroft! Sarah is an urban flower farmer, botanical artist, and designer based in Minneapolis.
Rooted in sustainability and storytelling, Arnold’s work bridges art, horticulture, and education. Each piece begins in the garden and reflects a deep respect for the natural cycle of plants, celebrating both abundance and impermanence. Through hands-on workshops and demonstrations, she invites participants to slow down, work thoughtfully with flowers, and experience the connection between art and nature.
The Art of the Hand-Tied Fresh Flower Bouquet
• Friday April 24, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• $65
Learn the timeless technique of crafting a hand-tied bouquet using fresh, garden-inspired blooms. This workshop emphasizes flow, balance, and gesture, resulting in a bouquet that feels abundant, natural, and effortlessly gathered.
Ikebana: Finding Balance
• Friday April 24, 2–3:30 p.m.
• $80
Explore the quiet beauty of ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement. Learn how to focus on simplicity, line, and negative space while creating a fresh flower composition rooted in balance, intention, and mindfulness. All materials and supplies are provided, including a vase, a floral “frog,” and a florist box to transport your arrangement.
Sustainable Fresh Floral Design
• Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• $85
Create a lush, seasonal arrangement using fresh flowers and sustainable, foam-free techniques. Learn thoughtful mechanics, natural movement, and design principles that honor both the beauty of flowers and the environment. All materials and supplies are provided, including a vase, reusable chicken wire pillow, and a florist box to transport your arrangement.
Everlasting Botanical Cloche
• Saturday, April 25, 2–3:30
• $60
Design a sculptural, dried-flower composition (with up to five pieces) preserved beneath a glass cloche (cloche size: 3.15” x 6.3”). Work with carefully dried botanicals to create a timeless keepsake that celebrates texture, form, and the enduring beauty of flowers beyond bloom. All materials and supplies are provided.
Framed Everlasting Florals
• Sunday April 26, 2–3:30
• $65
Create a refined pressed flower artwork suspended within a floating glass frame with a stand. This workshop blends art and botany, and will guide you in designing a delicate, lasting piece that highlights the intricate poetry of preserved blooms. All materials and supplies are provided.
Calling All Art in Bloom Volunteers
It’s that time of year again! We’re dreaming of color and flowers and can’t wait to bring our community to the museum for our grand celebration of spring. This is a huge undertaking, and we can only do it with your help.
Love Art in Bloom? Enjoy working with people and being at the center of the excitement? Great! We have a place for you on our volunteer team!
Art in Bloom 2026 will be held April 23–26. While it’s too early to sign up for specific roles and times, we’re currently gathering names and contact information of all those interested in helping. We’ll reach out in late March with specific opportunities for you to choose from.
Don’t delay! Let us know your interest. And thank you!
Once Upon a Bloom
• Art in Bloom for Families
• Sunday, April 26, 2026, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Target Reception Hall
Join us on Sunday, April 26, with all the young people in your life for Art in Bloom family activities. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy creative artmaking and flower activities so children can bring some floral beauty home. There will be an Ikebana floral artist present to give everyone inspiration for their floral arrangements.
At 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., teaching artists from the Children’s Theatre Company will engage the group with movement and storytelling featuring a Japanese folk tale, Three Strong Women. The story follows a sumo wrestler learning how to be strong in mind, body, and heart through a family of strong women before a major competition. He discovers that strength is not just in his ability to win prizes, but to be responsible for his own strength and skills.
And, of course, we need many volunteers to make this fun event happen! Please consider joining us as a volunteer.
Art in Bloom Volunteer Opportunities
• Thursday, April 23–Sunday, April 26, 2026
We are on the doorsteps to 2026 Art in Bloom! This event couldn’t be all it is without you. Our sign-up sheet to volunteer for this year’s Art in Bloom is ready!
As usual, we’re using SignUp Genius. You’re able to sign up for specific days, times, and roles. We hope you’ll be able to help us this year. We love our volunteers!
If you have friends who you’d like to have put on our email list, please send them to SignUp Genius. We can’t wait to welcome in the flowers with you!
April Friends Book Club
• The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
• Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required
Join us in April as we read The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. Yasi Agah of the Feminist Book Club states, “Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran is a captivating novel that skillfully intertwines history, culture, and personal struggle. The novel follows the lives of two women, Elaheh (Ellie) and Homa, who are often hailed as the “Lion Women” for their remarkable courage and strength. They face a myriad of challenges, from societal norms and family expectations to political unrest and personal tragedies, against the backdrop of Iran’s turbulent history.”
We’ll discuss the novel over coffee at 10 a.m., then head to the galleries at 11 a.m. for a guided tour of artworks selected to complement the book’s themes.
Attendance is limited to 10 participants. If you’ve been curious about our book club, join us! All are welcome. You’ll find the Friends office on the first floor of Mia, located in the hallway between the museum gift shop and Agra Culture Cafe.
Register by emailing the Friends Office or calling 612-870-3045.
Looking ahead to May, we’ll read I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger, with discussion dates on May 15 and 16.
Friends Member Outings
Join your Friends to explore the treasures of the Twin Cities. Just in time for Art in Bloom, we’ll take a behind the scenes at the Como Conservatory in April. May will bring us on a special, private tour of the Thrivent Art Collection. In June, we wrap up our year with an outing to the Franconia Sculpture Park followed by lunch at WineHaven Winery.
More friends = more fun! We look forward to discovering the cultural treasures of the Twin Cities with you.
Guest spots are limited–RSVP today!
View the full schedule. RSVP for Friends Member Outings directly to Lezlie Pinske.
A Special Invitation from FRIENDS to Friends
• May 7, 2026, 6:15–8 p.m.
• Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis
• Tickets required
The FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra have invited the Mia Friends to their May 7, 2026, ACCENT reception, presentation and performance by Thomas Sondergard, Minnesota Orchestra Music Director, and Silver Ainomae, Associate Principal Cello and John and Barbara Boatwright Chair. They say: We are delighted to extend the invitation to this event to your general membership and look forward to you all joining us!
Read more about the event and purchase tickets. Please use the coupon code MIAFRIENDS with any “General Admission” ticket purchase to receive FRIENDS membership pricing of $50 per ticket.
Looking for Some New Faces
Would you like to become more involved with the Friends? Perhaps join the Board or do committee work? You’ll meet interesting people and do a lot of good and relevant work while supporting Mia, an art institution that is free and open to all. And you’ll have fun in the spirit of our vision statement, “Belonging, Learning, Giving.”
Contact Barbara Proeschel.