Friends Newsletter
President’s Letter, May/June 2025
Dear Friends,
Now it is time to catch our collective breath and celebrate another successful Art in Bloom, our 41st year! Planning and executing this singular celebration take so many people, so much time, and endless energy. It’s truly a labor of love: love of art, love of flowers, love of our community, and love of our museum.
Congratulations and kudos to Sharon Secor, Art in Bloom 2025 chair, and her dedicated committee; to Laura Galarneau, our Friends office coordinator; to the many volunteers and Mia staff; and to Ken and Linda Cutler, our honorary chairs. Many thanks for the time, talent, and resources that made this incredible community celebration possible. I know many of you contributed through your donations or hands-on help, and I thank you sincerely.
But we’re not quite ready to rest on our laurels. We have more exciting Friends events coming up in May and June. On May 15, we’ll host the final lecture of the season with Joe Earle, who will speak on the fascinating Mia exhibition “Transcendent Clay: The Kondō Family’s Path of Porcelain Innovations.” The evening begins with the Friends Annual Meeting at 5:45 p.m., just before the lecture at 6 p.m. Please attend, as we need a quorum to make it official.
After a short break, Mr. Earle will be joined by artist Kondō Takahiro and a panel of art experts for a lively discussion on the evolution and achievements of the distinguished Kondō ceramic lineage.
Looking ahead, mark your calendar for a fun Friends fundraiser on June 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We’ll enjoy Restoring a Landmark: A Tour of the Restoration of the Historic Basilica of St. Mary. It’s another way we can express our Friends values of belonging, learning, and giving.
We also bid a fond farewell and heartfelt thank you to Laura Galarneau, who is moving on to an exciting new role in Mia programming. She’ll be greatly missed.
As we near the end of our fiscal year, it also marks the end of my term as president. Thank you for your strong support and unwavering dedication to this organization. It has been my privilege to serve as your president. I’ve experienced firsthand that once a Friend, always a friend.
With warm spring wishes,
Barbara Proeschel
President, Friends of the Institute
Important May and June Friends Dates:
• Coffee, Scones, and Conversation in Friends Office: Wednesday, May 14, 10 a.m.
• Friends Lecture: Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m.; Annual Meeting: 5:45 p.m.
• Friends Book Club: Friday, May 16, 10 a.m., and Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.
• Friends Fundraiser: Thursday, June 12, 5:30 p.m.
May Friends Lecture: “Transcendent Clay: Kondō Porcelains,” Joe Earle
- Thursday, May 15, 2025, 6 p.m.
Pillsbury Auditorium
Join Joe Earle, former head of Asian art at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, for an insightful lecture on Mia’s exhibition “Transcendent Clay: The Kondō Family’s Path of Porcelain Innovations.” Drawing from his extensive experience and work on two major Kondō-related projects, Earle will explore the evolution of this distinguished ceramic lineage—from Kondō Yūzō’s early 20th-century influences to Kondō Takahiro’s groundbreaking contemporary practice.
Following the lecture, Earle will be joined onstage by ceramic artist Kondō Takahiro, collector Jeffrey Horvitz, and gallerist Joan Mirviss for a lively panel discussion about Kondō Takahiro—his development, achievements, and international reception. Andreas Marks, Mary Griggs Burke Curator of Japanese and Korean Art at Mia, will moderate.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights into the ceramic artistry, tradition, and innovation that define the Kondō family’s legacy.
As always, Friends members can call Mia’s Visitor Experience at 612-870-6323 on April 15 and secure lecture tickets before they are available to the general public. Tickets are available on Mia’s website.
Friends Only Events
Our year of DISCOVERING unique treasures of art, architecture, and history around the Twin Cities is coming to a close. We thank you for your curiosity, engagement, and stretching our Friends community to include new opportunities to connect. Unfortunately, our final events for May and June are FULL, with a waiting list begun for each event.
NEXT YEAR…we’ll have more exploring to do! The planning has already begun for Friends Only gatherings from October 2025 to June 2026. We welcome ideas from YOU! Please reach out to Lezlie Pinske.
Volunteer Opportunity: Mia Family Day
- Sunday, May 11, 2025
Are you looking for a way to do good and feel good? Mia’s Family Day provides an easy and fun opportunity to volunteer. Our volunteers say they feel good contributing to the community and have fun in the easy, casual atmosphere. If you’re interested in volunteering for a few hours as a greeter or helping families with art projects, consider Sunday, May 11. Each month offers new activities that range from storytelling, dance performances, art projects, and gallery hunts.
Read more about Mia’s’ Family Day. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Pat Gale at friendsvolunteers@artsmia.org or 612-868-1079.
May Friends Book Club: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
- Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, 2025, 10 a.m.
- Museum Tour, 11 a.m.
- Friends Office
This month, the Friends Book Club explores Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See, a rich historical novel based on the life of Tan Yunxian, a pioneering female physician in 15th-century China. Despite living in a time when Confucian teachings discouraged women’s education, Tan treated women from all levels of society and left behind a legacy so impactful that many of her remedies are still in use today.
This month’s gathering offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the novel’s themes while engaging with Mia’s renowned Chinese art collection—widely regarded as one of the finest in the United States. Join us on Friday, May 16, or Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. in the Friends Office, located just off the main lobby behind the museum shop. At 11 a.m., participants will enjoy a one-hour, docent-led tour inspired by the book.
As The New York Times notes, “See makes clear the ameliorating effects of friendship and love. She shows how with the right people we can surpass our own expectations and that the hardships of life are often easier to endure if we don’t have to survive them alone.” It’s a message that beautifully reflects the spirit of the Friends community.
Space is limited and advanced registration is required. The Book Club continues to be a popular benefit of Friends membership—reserve your spot by calling 612-870-3045 or emailing friends@artsmia.org.
Looking ahead to June, we’ll be reading James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain, with discussions scheduled for June 20 and 21.
Connect with Other Friends: Coffee & Scones
- Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 10 a.m.
Friends Office
We’re still feeling the buzz of all the excitement from Art in Bloom! You’re invited to join us to learn more about the Friends and continue the conversation at Coffee & Scones on May 14 at 10 a.m. in the Friends Office. Email friendsmembership@artsmia.org to RSVP.
Friends Fundraiser: Restoring a Landmark
- Thursday, June 12, 2025, 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Please arrive by 5:15 p.m.)
- The Basilica of Saint Mary, 1600 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Join the Friends for a private tour of the historic Basilica of Saint Mary, one of the Twin Cities’ most iconic landmarks. Designed by French architect Emmanuel Masqueray, the Basilica is a nationally recognized example of Beaux Arts ecclesiastical architecture.
This exclusive evening will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the building’s upcoming restoration, led by Johan van Parys, Managing Director of Ministries and Director of Liturgy and Sacred Arts, and Tom Paul, Basilica Trustee and Chair of the Restoration Executive Committee.
Following the tour, enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres in the company of fellow art and architecture enthusiasts.
Tickets are $75 per person. Tickets will be available on Mia’s website under “Tickets” by mid-May. Street parking is available along 17th Street North, on the west side of the building. Generously sponsored by Sheila Morgan.
Friends Only Event
Friends & Friends: Lake Minnetonka Boathouse Tour
- Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 10a.m.–1 p.m.
Port of Wayzata, 402 Lake Street East, Wayzata, MN 55391
As we wrap up a year of DISCOVERING art, architecture, and history across the Twin Cities, we thank you for your enthusiasm and for helping us grow our Friends community through new and engaging experiences.
Our May event is now full.
But we’re thrilled to share exciting news about our June 4 Friends & Friends event: We’ve secured a larger boat! More room, more Friends, and even more fun. This popular event has reopened to accommodate additional guests.
Join us for a luncheon and narrated boat tour aboard Al & Alma’s as we explore the historic boathouses of Lake Minnetonka. Author Melinda Nelson will guide us through stories of the matriarchs and patriarchs who helped shape both Lake Minnetonka and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
This is a Friends & Friends event—please feel free to invite a guest to experience the camaraderie and benefits of Friends membership.
- Date & Time: Wednesday, June 4, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Boat departs at 10:15 a.m.)
- Updated Location: Port of Wayzata (just east of the historic Wayzata Train Depot); 402 Lake St. E, Wayzata, MN 55391
- Cost: $75 per person
- RSVP: Lezlie Pinske by Thursday, May 15, at noon
- Payment: Venmo @Lezlie-Pinske or contact Lezlie to arrange payment by check