Friends Newsletter
President’s Letter, November 2026
Leaves tumble here in the wind. Or maybe this is a pile, seen from above. And among the fallen, life continues among little autumnal creatures, surviving in a time of impermanence. How we all know that feeling! Good things come, and good things go, one movement welcome, the other, not so much. But the flip side is also true. We can’t stop the bad things from happening, but how wonderful when they are over or overcome. The cycle continues, for us and the trees. There is such beauty in the colors of the leaves at this time of year. Yet, as they fall, we become introspective. Another season has turned. Life is moving so quickly.
Of course, changing seasons mark an end, but also a hopeful beginning. And this is such a time of new beginnings at Mia. The “Paris Couture” exhibition opened in early October! Have you seen it? What I love so much is how engaged the attendees are, not just with the clothes, but with each other. This is a show to see with a friend, discuss, point out details, and wish longingly for an event to wear just such a gown. The smallest details are special and are what set these masterpieces apart. Come see, bring a friend, and find a favorite.
As always, the Friends offer several other reasons to gather together this month. First up, on November 5, we have a unique opportunity to tour the Somali Museum as a group, followed by lunch at Quruxlow. Come share in this great member outing! Our upcoming lecture on November 12 will be with Brianne Van Vorst, a stained-glass expert, on conserving a rare Tiffany window. She’s also been involved in conservation work for our own Basilica of St. Mary. This is sure to be a crowd favorite, so reserve your free tickets now! Come early the same day for Coffee & Scones, to learn more about the work of Friends and how you can get involved. Finally, we’ll discuss My Friends by Fredrik Backman on November 20 and 21 at book club.
The leaves are falling, the seasons are turning, yet new beginnings are all around. Come join us here at Mia and be sure to stop in to say hi!
Thank you for being a Friend,
Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute
Important November Dates
• November 5, 2026: Friends Member Outing: The Somali Museum
• November 12, 2026: Friends Lecture: A Return to Glory: Conserving an 1898 Tiffany Glass Window with Brianne Van Vorst
• November 12, 2026: Coffee & Scones
• November 20 and 21, 2026: Friends Book Club: My Friends by Fredrik Backman
November Friends Lecture: Brianne Van Vorst
• “A Return to Glory: Conserving an 1898 Tiffany Glass Window ”
• Thursday, November 12, 2026, 11 a.m.
• Pillsbury Auditorium
• Free, tickets required
Brianne Van Vorst
Stained glass is often associated with grand and majestic European cathedrals such as Notre Dame de Paris. As an art form, stained glass is equally treasured in the United States. You’ll notice that it decorates places of worship, museums, residences, train stations, and even hospital waiting rooms.
Louis Comfort Tiffany and John La Farge were influential American stained glass artists whose work had impact internationally. Architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan used stained glass as a design element for their buildings. Did you know that the Washington National Cathedral has a piece of lunar rock incorporated into a stained glass window?
Historic stained glass needs treatment to prolong its life and functionality. However, there isn’t an overarching philosophy or ethical standard that guides the treatment of stained glass. In the United States, there’s no formal education or regulatory organization to provide support to practitioners.
Our November Friends lecture speaker, Brianne Van Vorst, has made stained glass her life’s work. One project she will discuss concerns a spectacular collection of stained glass windows that adorn the Briarcliff Congregational Church in New York’s Hudson River Valley. Van Vorstwill also share her work in conserving windows of a landmark building right here in our community, the Basilica of Saint Mary.
Van Vorst is the principal of Liberty Stained Glass Conservation. She began her interest in stained glass at the University of York where she received a Master of Arts in Stained Glass Conservation and Cultural Heritage Management. While in York, Van Vorst worked with one of Britain’s oldest stained glass firms, the York Glaziers Trust. Working in the U.S. and the U.K. gave her a unique vantage point that highlights the differences in materials, technique, approach, and industry standards between the two places. She opened her consulting firm in 2016. Her work positively impacts the stained glass heritage in the United States through advocacy and a commitment to preservation of these treasured art forms.
Tickets for the lecture are available now.
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 always looking for friendly faces to help usher at these events. It’s a great way to meet fellow Friends and be part of our community. If you’d like to volunteer, email the Friends.
Join or Renew Your Friends Membership
Maurice B. Prendergast, American, 1858–1924. Holidays (detail), c. 1920. Oil on canvas. The Julia B. Bigelow Fund. 38.33
It’s time to join or renew your Friends membership!
Make renewing easy—check the auto renewal box! Your membership will renew automatically each year, so you can enjoy uninterrupted access to Friends programs, events, and activities.
As a Friends member, you’ll be offered information and opportunities such as:
- Monthly newsletters highlighting art, Friends activities, and upcoming events
- Free monthly ticketed lectures with early access to reservations
- Friends member-only events, including curator-led exhibition tours, behind-the-scenes experiences at Mia, and special outings throughout the community
- A monthly book club featuring lively discussions and art tours
- An annual Art & Architecture trip
- Great Gatherings that bring members together while raising funds to support Friends
- Volunteer opportunities such as ushering at lectures and serving at Art in Bloom
- Opportunities to meet fellow art enthusiasts and build lasting friendships
- Hospitality before the lectures and a quarterly ticketed luncheon afterward
Consider a Friends Contributor or Benefactor membership level and help support Mia and our community. Together, Friends:
- Provide transportation grants for K–12 student visits to Mia
- Broaden access to art through outreach and transportation support
- Support Mia’s educational programs with funding and volunteers
- Donate works of art to Mia, including our Centennial gift, Still Life with Dahlias, Zinnias, Hollyhocks, and Plums by Eugène Delacroix
- Support museum-wide initiatives, special exhibitions, art conservation, and acquisitions
Join. Renew. Stay connected. Make an impact!
Friends Member Outing
• Thursday, November 5, 2026, 11 a.m.
• Friends Member Somali Museum Visit
Join us as we visit the only Somali-focused museum in North America, opened in mid-town Minneapolis in 2013. It features artifacts, crafts, and art. Dance classes, weaving classes, and other workshops are also offered there. Join us to explore the museum, followed by lunch a few blocks down the street at Quruxlow, an East African restaurant.
Admission: $11.00. RSVP to kristen@daybreakinteriors.com.
Friends Tours of “Paris Couture”
Christian Lacroix (French), Coup de roulis sweater and skirt ensemble, 1991. Palais Galliera, inv. 1995.64.1A–B. Photo by Guy Marineau.
• Thursday, December 1, 2026, 1 and 1:15 p.m.
• Mia’s Target Galleries
This is a special invitation to the Friends of the Institute! We’ave arranged for two guided tours of Mia’s “Paris Couture” exhibition on Thursday, December 1, at 1 and 1:15 p.m., followed by refreshments in the Friends Office. Please call the office at 612-870-3045 to reserve your spot on the tour. You’ll then need to purchase your ticket to the exhibition online, or have the Friends Office help you with that while on the phone. Please reserve by November 16. There is a maximum of 20 people per tour. We hope you’ll join us!
Save the Date: December Friends Lecture and Holiday Luncheon
Bianca Bosker
• Thursday, December 10, 2026, 11 a.m.
• Bianca Bosker, author of Get the Picture
Our December speaker is Bianca Bosker, award-winning journalist and author of Get the Picture. Please note that Mia’s book of the month and the Friends Book Club book for December is also Get the Picture! Tickets for the lecture and lunch will be available on November 15. Watch for more details in next month’s newsletter.
November Friends Book Club
• My Friends by Fredrik Backman
• Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required
Join us in November as we read My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Goodreads says, “The beautiful new novel that will make you laugh and cry, from the global bestselling author of Anxious People and A Man Called Ove. Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life 25 years later.” It was given the Goodreads Choice Award as Winner for Readers’ Favorite Fiction for 2025.
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 December, we’ll read Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See by Bianca Bosker, with discussion dates on December 18 and 19, 2026.
Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones
• Thursday, November 12, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free, RSVP required
Curious about the Friends of the Institute? Join us on Thursday, November 12, 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 November lecture and RSVP.