Friends Newsletter
President’s Letter, October 2025
The air outside is so fresh now, with the snap of chill and the faint tang of leaves beginning their decomposition. I love autumn. There’s a relief to summer’s end, in addition to the sadness. The days are shorter, it’s true, but the colors are vibrant, the apple cider ever so tasty, and one’s coziest sweaters a joy to wear.
This season is perfect for gathering with friends—and Friends—and we have many opportunities for you to do so! First up, you won’t want to miss our Friends outing to the Purcell Cutts House on October 11. Places are limited, so sign up quickly.
Our lecturer this month is Jane Kallir, a renowned scholar of German and Austrian Expressionism and an expert on Egon Schiele. Come hear her fascinating lecture and then join us for our annual Fall Luncheon. Tickets for the luncheon must be purchased by September 30, so don’t delay!
After lunch, be sure to take in Mia’s exhibition “Timber! Art and Woodwork at the Fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.” It’s small but mighty, with a rarely seen Egon Schiele work as its centerpiece.
Of course, our popular book club meets again this month. Reserve your spot for October 17 or 18 to discuss Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. Afterward, you can participate in a guide-led tour inspired by the book.
The Friends organization is here for you. We are your people within Mia, a gathering spot, a place to make friends. Come join us as we build community over our love of art, learning, and people.
I hope to see you soon!
Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute
Important September Dates:
• October 12, 2025: Mia Family Day Volunteer Opportunity
• October 16, 2025: Coffee & Scones
• October 16, 2025: Friends Lecture: Jane Kallir, “Egon Schiele: Life and Art”
• October 16, 2025: Fall Luncheon
• October 17 and 18, 2025: Friends Book Club: Hello Beautiful
October Friends Lecture: Jane Kallir, “Egon Schiele: Life and Art”
• Thursday, October 16, 2025, 11 a.m.
• Pillsbury Auditorium
• Free; registration required
Egon Schiele. Sawmill, 1913. Oil on canvas. Kallir Family Foundation, New York.
Please join us Thursday, October 16 at 11 a.m. for a fascinating lecture by Jane Kallir, world-renowned scholar of Egon Schiele. Kallir will delve deeply into Schiele’s life and art, with a special emphasis on works in Mia’s collection.
In 1990, Kallir issued the first catalogue raisonné of Egon Schiele’s work in all media. In 1997, she gave her grandfather’s files on a stolen Schiele painting, Portrait of Wally, then on view at the Museum of Modern Art, to the New York Times. The resulting outcry prompted Austria to revise its restitution laws in 1998.
Kallir has remained a staunch advocate of responsible provenance research and has curated or co-curated exhibitions for dozens of museums worldwide. We are honored to have her as our October speaker.
Reserve your free lecture tickets now.
Friends Fall Luncheon
• Thursday, October 16, 2025, noon
• Target Reception Hall
• Ticket price: $45 per person
Bror Julius Olsson (B.J.O.) Nordfeldt (American [born Sweden], 1878–1955). Still Life with Bananas and Calla Lilies (detail), 1932. Oil on canvas. Minneapolis Institute of Art, The William Hood Dunwoody Fund. 34.2. Copyright of the artist, artist’s estate, or assignees
The menu features stuffed acorn squash drizzled with balsamic reduction and topped with fresh parmesan, accompanied by a mixed green salad with pomegranate seeds, candied walnuts, and a maple Dijon vinaigrette. To complete the meal, we’ll enjoy assorted breads as well as a seasonal fruit tartlet with vanilla cream.
Don’t miss this chance to reconnect with old friends and learn more about Friends events and activities this season. Purchase your tickets by September 30.
Volunteer Opportunity: Lecture Ushers Needed
This is our second lecture of the season, and we can’t wait to see you there. The lecture kicks off on Thursday, October 16, at 11 a.m., followed by our famous luncheon.
We’re always looking for friendly faces to help usher all of these events. It’s a great way to meet fellow Friends and be part of the action. If you’d like to volunteer, email us.
October Friends Book Club: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
• Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10 a.m.
• Museum Tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required
Join us in October as we read Ann Napolitano’s novel, Hello Beautiful. The New York Times Book Review states, “Radiant and brilliantly crafted…Napolitano’s [work] resists the easy satisfactions of the sentimental and never settles for simple answers to emotional predicaments faced by her characters.”
We’ll discuss the novel over coffee and 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 12 participants. If you’ve been curious about our book club, join us. All are welcome! Reserve your spot by calling the Friends Office at 612-870-3045 or emailing us.
Looking ahead to November, we’ll read Where Rivers Part: A Story of My Mother’s Life by Kao Kalia Yang, with discussions scheduled for November 21 and 22.
Volunteer Opportunity: Mia Family Day
• Sunday, October 12, 2025
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 desire to assist families in their exploration of the arts!
If you’re interested, please email Family Day.
Friends Fundraiser: Meet 75 Friendly Angels
• Save the date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
In 1997, the Friends got creative for our 75th anniversary when members needlepointed 75 beautiful angel ornaments that decorated Mia’s Christmas tree for decades. On November 20, join us for a festive evening to revisit that special era, the angel project, and the women who created these works of art.
The angels are too precious to remain tucked away in tissue, and at this fundraiser you’ll have the chance to acquire one to treasure or to gift. There’s even more planned for the evening, including wine and appetizers.
Friends Member Outings 2025–2026: Treasure Hunting
Get ready for an exciting year of exploration and enrichment as we unveil our Friends Member Treasure Hunting series. We’re thrilled to offer a range of outings designed to delight and inspire throughout the year.
Sign up for one—or all! Just be sure to RSVP before the deadlines and before spots fill up. Email Lezlie Pinske to RSVP for Friends Member Outings.
We look forward to having you join us to explore the treasures of art, architecture, and history around our community.
Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones
• Thursday, October 16, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
• Friends Office
Curious about the Friends of the Institute? Join us on Thursday, October 16, at 9:30 a.m. in the Friends Office for coffee, scones, and conversation. Learn about our upcoming 2025–2026 events, explore volunteer opportunities, and connect with fellow Friends. Please RSVP.
Look Ahead: November Friends Lecture: Kao Kalia Young, Author of Where Rivers Part
• Sunday, November 16, 2025, 2 p.m.
• Free; registration required
Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American teacher, speaker, and writer. Her work crosses audiences and genres. She is the award-winning author of the memoirs The Latehomecomer, The Song Poet, Somewhere in the Unknown World, and Where Rivers Part.
She was the Minnesota Star Tribune’s 2024 Artist of the Year, and she won three Minnesota Book Awards in 2025 for her work. Her book, Where Rivers Part, is Mia’s featured book for November. As a Friends member, you can get your lecture tickets on October 15, with tickets open to the general public on October 17.