Friends Newsletter
President’s Letter, May 2026
This must be one of the cheeriest images in Mia’s collection. There’s just something about the fresh, young green of the grass and the sunlight dappling the trees that exclaims the joy of spring. Even the bright red chimneys in the distance add a dollop of happiness. The world is sparkling and new and feels full of possibilities. What an uplifting moment for our spirits and our smiles. A new beginning is here, and isn’t that refreshing?
And speaking of new beginnings, Art in Bloom week opens today! We hope to see you wearing your best floral fashions to Party in Bloom. Perhaps you’ll be attending a workshop or two throughout the weekend or bringing your young ones to our family event, Once Upon a Bloom on Sunday. There is so much to do! Remember, while Art in Bloom is free for all to attend, it’s also our largest fundraiser of the year. Please give generously online or in the donation boxes. All proceeds support the Friends and help bring thousands of students to Mia each year.
The fun doesn’t end with Art in Bloom, of course. May is also a busy month, with beloved activities and traditions you won’t want to miss. Our Member Outing on May 6 is a tour of the extraordinary Thrivent Art Collection.
On May 14, Mia’s own Max Bryant, James Ford Bell Associate Curator of European and Decorative Arts, will lecture on the history and conservation of a remarkable Renaissance tapestry that hasn’t been seen by the public since 1950. Afterwards, please join us for our annual May luncheon. It’s such a delight to gather together and enjoy each other’s company over a lovely meal. Get your tickets by May 4. We’ve also planned a pre-lecture tour, giving you fun activities both before and after the lecture! Please call Mia at 612-870-3000 to reserve your spot on the tour.
Finally, our beloved book club meets for a conversation followed by a tour on May 15 and 16. We’ll be discussing I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. Read on for all the details. We hope to see you often!
As always, I am so happy to be sharing this Friendship with you.
Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute
May Dates
• May 14, 2026: Friends Lecture: Max Bryant, “Francesco Salviati’s Tapestry of the Meeting of Dante and Virgil (1547–49)”
• May 14, 2026: Friends Spring Luncheon
• May 14, 2026: Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones
• April 17 and 18, 2026: Friends Book Club: I Cheerfully Refuse
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
Volunteer Opportunities
Friends Lecture Ushers
• Thursday, May 14, 2026
Friends volunteers are needed to usher at upcoming lecture events, including May 14. It’s a great way to meet new Friends and be part of our community. If you’d like to volunteer, email us.
Mia Family Day
• Sunday, May 10
We’re looking for volunteers for Mia’s Family Day to help families with art projects. The shifts are just two hours, and the atmosphere is fun and casual. No art experience is needed, just a willingness to support families as they explore the arts.
If you’re interested, please email Family Day.
A Special Opportunity for 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 Søndergård, 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.
April Friends Book Club
• I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
• Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required
Join us in May as we read the tale of Rainy, an aspiring musician setting sail on Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved, bookselling wife. Our novel this month received the Goodreads Choice Award for Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Science Fiction for 2024.
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 June, we’ll read The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger, with discussion dates on June 19 and 20.