The image features five decorative bowls arranged close together. They are made of gold and have intricate designs along the outer surface. The designs include blue and gold patterns, with some red and green floral motifs.
Set of Four Bowls and Two Cups, 1790, China, 41.53.1A-F

Friends Newsletter

President’s Letter, October 2026

Do you remember your first tea party? Mine was a classic: stuffed animals and dolls sitting at a child’s table while I, the solemn hostess, poured for the crowd from my miniature teapot into the tiny, entrancing teacups. While I don’t remember the conversation (can it even be called a conversation if one person does all the voices?), I know that ever since, one of my favorite things to do is to gather around a table, sharing good food and drink with fun friends around.

Luckily for us, we have many opportunities this month to do just that! First up is an exciting “Evening with Rick Nelson: Food, Fashion, and Architecture” on October 7. Rick will be in discussion with Melinda Nelson in the new Young-Quinlan Room, and we’ll have food, beverages, a jazz trio, and more! Read on for all the details and get your tickets. You won’t want to miss this incredible evening with Friends. Our thanks go to Bob and Sue Greenberg and The 614 Company for making this event possible.

The following week sees the return of our traditional Friends Fall Luncheon on October 15, following the Friends lecture with Paul and Mark Mitchell. The Mitchells are renowned framing specialists to museums and collectors. Find out about the fascinating world of frames and join us for lunch afterward to socialize and compare notes. Spending time together around a table—there’s nothing like it!

There’s a special Friends Outing this month, too. We’ll be touring a private collection here in the metro area. Space is limited, so act soon. Our Coffee and Scones event will be happening, and Book Club will discuss Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Find out about all of these events in more detail below.

I hope to see you many times throughout this month and the year. The Friends are working hard to build our community, create closer ties to Mia, and make art more accessible to all. I’m so glad you’re here with us.

Thank you for being a Friend,

Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute

Important October Dates

• October 7, 2026: Friends Great Gathering “An Evening with Rick Nelson: Food, Fashion, and Architecture”
• October 15, 2026: Friends Lecture and Fall Luncheon: Paul and Mark Michell, “Form and Function of European Picture Frames: 15th–20th Century”
• October 15, 2026: Coffee & Scones
• October 16 and 17, 2026: Friends Book Club: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• October 28, 2026: Friends Member Outing: Private Art Collection Tour

October Friends Lecture: Paul and Mark Mitchell

• “Form and Function of European Picture Frames: 15th–20th Century”
• Thursday, October 15, 2026, 11 a.m.
• Pillsbury Auditorium
• Free, tickets required

Headshot of Paul Mitchell

Photo courtesy of Paul Mitchell Ltd.

We’re delighted to announce that world-renowned framing experts Paul and Mark Mitchell will headline our lecture on October 15, 2026.

Paul Mitchell Ltd. has 45 years of experience providing antique and bespoke frames for museums, private collectors, dealers, auctioneers, and art agents worldwide. Their portfolio includes framing works by masters such as Rembrandt, Velázquez, Cézanne, Monet, and Raphael.

Directors Paul and Mark Mitchell will offer a memorable journey into the fascinating world of picture framing. With engaging visuals, they’ll showcase a range of national frame styles, highlighting ornamentation and finishes from notable paintings they’ve framed for public collections worldwide. They’ll also examine the shortcomings of previous frames and discuss the criteria for selecting the ideal replacement. Before-and-after images will vividly illustrate the transformative power of authentic historical presentation.

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 15 participants, and participants meet outside the Friends Office. Reserve your spot by calling Visitor Experience: 612-870-3000.

Volunteer Opportunity: Lecture Ushers Needed

We’re also looking for friendly faces to help usher at these events. It’s a great way to meet fellow Friends and be part of the action. If you’d like to volunteer, email the Friends.

Join Us for the Fall Luncheon

Still life painting with a pitcher, vegetables, and dishware.

Adolphe Félix Cals (French, 1810–1880). Still Life with a Cucumber and a Pitcher, 1847. Oil on panel. Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton. 92.85.2

• Thursday, October 15, 2026, 12:15 p.m. (directly following the lecture)
• Target Reception Hall
• Tickets required

The Friends invite you to our traditional Fall Luncheon on October 15, in the Target Reception Hall following the Friends lecture. This event is a special time to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

The festive menu features roasted salmon with lemon beurre blanc and sides of autumn wild rice pilaf with squash and craisins, and roasted brussels sprouts. The vegetarian option is a harvest salad of mixed greens with roasted butternut squash, apples, dried figs, craisins, gorgonzola cheese, and candied walnuts, topped with an apple cider dressing. Both selections include a dessert of pumpkin cheesecake with cinnamon whipped cream, assorted artisan breads, coffee, and tea.

The cost of the luncheon is $45 per person. Register online or by call 888-642-2787. Please register by September 30 at midnight. We hope you can join this celebration kicking off another year of the Friends activities!

October Great Gathering: An Evening with Rick Nelson: Food, Fashion, and Architecture

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026: 5:30–8 p.m., presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
• The Quinlan Room by The Dakota, 901 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
• Complimentary parking: Dropoff and Event Entrance at the 9th Street Door
• Tickets required: $125 ($65 tax deductible). Proceeds support the work of the Friends (bus transportation for students, art conservation, education, etc.).
• Attire: Reflect your own history with Y-Q or your own Jazzy style!

Man sitting at outdoor cafe table with food and drink.

Rick Nelson. Photo credit: Chad Holder

Join noted former Star Tribune restaurant critic Rick Nelson at The Quinlan Room, the newly opened venue operated by the Dakota! Nelson will discuss his 24 years of covering restaurants, food, and architecture with Melinda Nelson, an award-winning writer, editor, and author. Nelson will also discuss the fascinating and ahead-of-her time Elizabeth Quinlan, whose biography he’s currently writing.

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Young-Quinlan Building, one of Minneapolis’ most distinguished architectural and commercial landmarks. You may want to share your own memories of Young-Quinlan, its tearoom and white-gloved elevator operators, and the building’s later life as Harold, Polo Ralph Lauren, and JB Hudson.

A jazz trio will set the stage for enjoyment of an appetizer buffet and sweet treats by the Dakota. Wine, beer, and sparkling water included. Cash bar for cocktails. Complimentary valet parking is included. Tickets are $125

Our evening is made possible through the generosity of Bob and Sue Greenberg and The 614 Company.

Member Outings

• Wednesday, October 28, 2026: 10 a.m.
• Private art collection tour in Minnetonka
• Free; RSVP required

Join us for a special opportunity! We’ll tour a private art collection in a Minnetonka home. The collection features one-of-a-kind works on paper, such as drawings and watercolor paintings. The home was professionally designed by an architect and interior designer to highlight art works. The home’s neighborhood does not allow street parking. Attendees will receive special instructions about a place to rendezvous before the tour, and then we’ll drive together in a limited number of cars. RSVP required.

Parting of a Dear Friend

By Linda Boelter and Amanda Falloon

Headshot of Jane Schulzetenberg

Jane Schulzetenberg. Image Credit: Suzanne Payne

Jane Schulzetenberg, dear friend to Friends of Mia and the St. Cloud Chapter, recently passed away in her winter home in Las Vegas. Jane served as the sixth president of the St. Cloud Friends, beginning in 1994. During her 23 years on the board, she also served as recording secretary, creating beautifully written minutes for nearly every meeting. She was irreplicable.

She was a consummate hostess, welcoming guests into her stunning home in Annandale for speaker events and board luncheons. As corresponding secretary, Jane designed, printed, and mailed attractive invitations with accurate directions for 69 events.

Jane generously shared her talents beyond the St. Cloud Friends. She contributed articles to the Friends newsletter and served as its editor, needlepointed one of the delightful angels for the Friends holiday tree, and helped lead major fundraising events, including Art in Bloom and Art Perchance.

To those who never had the honor of knowing and working with Jane, we hope this gives you a glimpse of her many gifts of time, talent, generosity, and most importantly friendship.

October Friends Book Club

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required

Book cover for Frankenstein

Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Cover illustration. Dover Publications, 1994.

Join us in October as we read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Amazon books says, “Few creatures of horror have seized readers’ imaginations and held them for so long as the anguished monster of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.”

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 November, we will read My Friends by Fredrik Backman, with discussion dates on November 20 and 21, 2026.

Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones

• Thursday, October 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
• Friends Office

Curious about the Friends of the Institute? Join us on Thursday, October 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the Friends office for conversation. RSVP at least one week in advance.

Immediately following, please join the Friends for hospitality and the 11 a.m. lecture. Learn more about the lecture and RSVP.