Friends Newsletter
President’s Letter, February 2026
I’ve always been fascinated by the Zodiac. As a kid I loved comparing myself to the list of traits I was supposed to embody as determined by my birth sign. I’d rejoice over words like “creative” and “compassionate” and balk at others like “dreamy” and “emotional.” But how in the world did this enemy of the life aquatic end up being represented by a couple of fish? Wanting a do-over, I was delighted to discover the Chinese Zodiac, only to realize my animal was a snake. And while I am delighted to claim “wisdom,” “elegance,” and “determination,” the visuals just don’t speak to me.
How lucky, then, that an upcoming exhibition is all about the horse! In “Year of the Horse: Hoofbeats through Time,” you’ll see the power and beauty of this noble animal while learning about its symbolism in Chinese culture. Opening February 17, the show explores the horse as both real creature and cultural emblem. Come see these treasures! Then visit gallery 214 to see the charming fellow above, small enough to hold in your hand, but with personality to spare.
In the meantime, please join us for our next Friends Lecture. It is unusually early this month, Thursday night, February 5, at 6 p.m. Award-winning poet Michael Kleber-Diggs will be in conversation with Milkweed publisher Daniel Slager on “The Art of Poetry, the Voices to Hear.” A reception and book signing follow. The next day we have a Friends member outing to The M (Minnesota Museum of American Art) for a private tour. Book club this month discusses James by Percival Everett. As always, the discussion is followed by a book-themed tour.
Finally, please renew your Friends membership! We hope many of you have already renewed for 2026, but if not, please renew. There are so many wonderful events coming up, and we’d love to see you there.
In gratitude,
Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute
Important February Dates
• February 5, 2026: Friends Lecture: “The Art of Poetry, the Voices to Hear” with Michael Kleber-Diggs and Daniel Slager
• February 8, 2026: Mia Family Day Volunteer Opportunity
• February 19, 2026: Coffee & Scones
• February 20 and 21, 2026: Friends Book Club: James
February Friends Lecture: “The Art of Poetry, the Voices to Hear”
• Michael Kleber-Diggs, award-winning poet, in conversation with Daniel Slager, Milkweed Editions publisher and CEO
• Thursday, February 5, 2026, 6 p.m., followed by a book signing
• Target Reception Hall
• Free; registration required
Please join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation about the place for marginalized voices in today’s publishing landscape. We look forward to welcoming these literary leaders as they share their expertise with you at our upcoming Friends lecture, held in Mia’s Target Reception Hall, with a book signing to follow.
Get free tickets for this lecture.
About the Panelists
Michael Kleber-Diggs is a celebrated poet, essayist, literary critic, and arts educator. He is the author of Worldly Things, which won the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize and was published by Milkweed Editions in 2021. His essay, “There Was a Tremendous Softness,” appears in A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars, edited by Erin Sharkey (Milkweed Editions, 2023).
Daniel Slager is publisher and CEO of Milkweed Editions, an independent, nonprofit publisher of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. He’s led the press to great success over the past 20 years. Prior to joining Milkweed as editor-in-chief in 2005, he was an editor at Harcourt Trade Publishers in New York. Before joining Harcourt, he was the associate editor of Grand Street, a leading quarterly magazine of literature and fine arts.
Friends Pre-Lecture Tour
• Thursday, February 5, 2026, 5 p.m.
The Friends offer free tours the hour before each lecture. These tours are themed to align with the lecture topic. Attendance is limited to 30 participants (15 per guide), and participants meet outside the Friends Office. Reserve your spot by calling Mia’s Visitor Engagement at 612-870-3000.
Volunteer Opportunity: Lecture Ushers Needed
This is already our second lecture of 2026 and takes place on Thursday, February 5, at 6 p.m. The speaker is poet, essayist, and critic Michael Kleber-Diggs.
We’re always looking for volunteers to usher these events. It’s a great way to meet new Friends and be a part of our community. If you’d like to volunteer, email us.
Volunteer Opportunity: Mia Family Day
• Sunday, February 8, 2026
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.
February Friends Book Club
• James by Percival Everett
• Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 a.m.
• Museum Tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required
Join us in February as we read James by Percival Everett. Goodreads calls the book “a brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and satirical—told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.”
“When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.”
James was a Goodreads 2024 Choice Award Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Historical Fiction novel and 2024 Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Audiobook.
We’ll discuss the novel over coffee at 10 a.m. and head to the galleries at 11 a.m. for a guided tour of the 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. Reserve your spot by emailing the Friends Office or calling 612-870-3045.
Looking ahead to March, we’ll read The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik, with discussions scheduled for March 20 and 21.
Join the Friends Book Club
Photo Credit: Sue Droegemueller
Our December book club selection was the historical novel Wolf Hall, based on political, religious, and marital events of the Tudor Monarchy in 16th-century England. For one of our discussions, we surrounded ourselves with symbols of the British Isles and the world of the Tudors.
Because the complicated story is driven by conflicts and alliances of the main characters, it was helpful to display reference portraits of the main characters: King Henry VIII, Queen Catherine of Aragon, future queen Anne Boleyn, advisor Thomas Cromwell, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and Sir Thomas More.
Peckish (British slang for “hungry”) attendees enjoyed a few treats from contemporary Great Britain—Hobnob cookies, Scottish thistle shortbread, After 8 dinner mints, and Cadbury chocolates—presented on an iconic tartan plaid tablecloth.
The Friends Book Club cannot wait to share thoughtful discussion with you in 2026. Friends member Sue Droegemueller, and our group leader for December’s discussion, knocked it out of the park with her discussion of Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel with English treats for all, photos of the characters in our book, and even an English inspired tablecloth to round out the inspiring presentation. Such thoughtful presentations await you at our book club table all year long! Please consider joining us for future discussions. Reach out to the Friends with any questions. See future book selections and dates.
Save the Date: The Friends Great Gatherings Series
• Thursday, March 5, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: Diana Pierce
In early March, will you be yearning for spring, maybe thinking of some outdoor color and flowers? Then join us for a floral feast for the senses!
- • Learn about the seduction and symbolism of flowers presented by special guest and former news anchor Diana Pierce.
- • Mingle and chat with friends as we emerge from a Minnesota winter.
- • Enjoy a curated floral cocktail, along with wine and appetizers.
This event is open to all and requires a paid ticket. Proceeds help support the work of the Friends. Watch your email for more blooming details!
February Friends Member Outing: The M (Minnesota Museum of American Art)
• Sunday, February 8, 2026, 2–3 p.m.
• No cost
• RSVP by January 30, 2026, to Lezlie Pinske
Enjoy a private tour of the M’s permanent collection featuring the inclusive community arts and culture in the Twin Cities. Open to 25 guests.
Preview future Friends Member outings.
Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones
• Thursday, February 19, 2026, 10 a.m.
• Friends Office
Curious about the Friends of the Institute? Join us on Thursday, February 19, at 10 a.m. in the Friends Office for coffee, scones, and conversation. Learn about our 2026 events, explore volunteer opportunities, and connect with fellow Friends. RSVP today.
Mary Olson and Polly Bullock: 50 Years of Friendship through Friends
Mary Olson (left) and Polly Bullock (right)
Mary Olson and Polly Bullock have been friends for 50 years. They both had an interest in the arts and found that the Friends gave them a way to volunteer and become directly involved at Mia.
In the late 1970s, Mary and Polly accepted Friends board positions. Polly began with co-chairing the newsletter, and Mary chaired Arrangements. The Friends monthly newsletter continues to keep members informed of Friends and museum activities of interest to its members.
As chair of Arrangements, Mary planned a luncheon following each of the monthly lectures. She worked with Erwin Dick of Town and Country Caterers of Wayzata to plan the menu. Dick founded his catering business in 1952, and among his guests he counted royalty, U.S. presidents, movie stars, business leaders, and last but not least, the Friends.
After monthly Friends board meetings, many continued their conversations over lunch at Mia’s restaurant on the mezzanine. Mary and Polly built their lasting friendship with time spent with Friends and museum activities. And today they continue to attend Friends lectures each month.
Mary and Polly credit the Friends for taking them on a journey of lifelong learning in the arts and for being the glue that’s held them together over the years.