Past Friends Newsletters

April 2026

True story. A pair of ducks adopted my younger son for years. I don’t know that it was always the same pair of ducks, but every spring by the lake, a pair would approach him each time we visited. Then one year, as we turned into the alley behind our house, there was a pair of ducks. The next day, they were on the roof of the garage of the house opposite, peering into our backyard. After that, a pair would show up at our house each year for a few days, seemingly ensuring that all was well. Since our son went off to college, though, the ducks have disappeared. I miss them.

Ducks are my harbinger of spring. For many, spring’s signal is flowers. Luckily for you, this is the time to revel in flowers at Mia, for Art in Bloom is almost here! From April 23 to 26, Mia will be filled with gorgeous floral displays created by our community. While this event is a gift to all, it’s also the Friends’ largest fundraiser of the year. We raise funds through ticket sales to floral workshops and Party in Bloom, as well as from the donation boxes in the museum. We hope you can attend these events and help support the work of the Friends and bring thousands of school children from around the region to the museum. Read on for all things Art in Bloom!

Of course, we wouldn’t be Friends without offering even more activities. This month we’ll visit the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park for a private tour on April 8 followed by lunch. Mia’s own Rachel McGarry, the Elizabeth MacMillan Chair and Curator of European Art, will discuss “Stars of the North: The Formation of Mia’s Exceptional Collection of European Art” at her lecture on Thursday, April 16. Don’t forget to sign up for a free pre-lecture tour that day by calling Mia at 612-870-3000. Finally, the book club will discuss The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali on April 17 and 18. All the details are below. We can’t wait to have you join us!

Thank you for being a Friend,

Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute

Important April Dates

• April 8, 2026: Friends Member Outing: Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory
• April 16, 2026: Friends Lecture: Rachel McGarry
• April 17 and 18, 2026: Friends Book Club: The Lion Women of Tehran

Art in Bloom Dates

• April 22, 2026: Party in Bloom
• April 24–26, 2026: Art in Bloom Floral Workshops
• April 26, 2026: Art in Bloom Family Day

April Friends Lecture: Rachel McGarry

• Stars of the North: The Formation of Mia’s Exceptional Collection of European Art
• Thursday, April 16, 2026, 11 a.m.
• Pillsbury Auditorium
• Free; tickets required

Join us on April 16 at 11 a.m. for an engaging talk by Rachel McGarry, Mia’s Elizabeth MacMillan Chair and Curator of European Art. She’ll present “Stars of the North: The Formation of Mia’s Exceptional Collection of European Art.”

McGarry holds an MA and a PhD from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, where she specialized in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. Before joining Mia, she worked at Christie’s and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Mia boasts one of the world’s preeminent collections of European art outside Europe. This talk will explore the remarkable stories behind the formation of this internationally acclaimed collection. Since Mia opened in 1915, generations of directors, collectors, patrons, and curators have shaped the collection’s growth through strategic vision, ambition, and timely opportunity. The talk will focus on Mia’s first 40 formative years, with highlights from each decade of the museum’s history. We’ll consider the triumphs and setbacks, evolving tastes and art market trends, and the personalities and institutional ambitions that shaped Mia and its European holdings on the path to becoming a leading American art museum.

Reserve free tickets for this lecture.

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 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

We’re always looking for volunteers to usher these events. It’s a great way to meet new Friends and be part of our community. If you’d like to volunteer, email us.

Art in Bloom

Every year when the light softens and the first hints of green return, I find myself counting down the days to Art in Bloom at Mia. There’s something incredibly special about watching Mia welcome spring in full color. I would truly love for you to experience it with me April 23–26, 2026.

For four days, the galleries come alive with imaginative floral creations inspired by works from Mia’s collection. As you wander from room to room, you’re met with the scent of fresh blossoms and the joyful surprise of seeing art reinterpreted in petals, branches, and vibrant arrangements. It’s uplifting and inspiring, and it feels like a deep breath after a long winter.

I’m especially excited about this year’s signature artwork, Presentation Vase Decorated with Birds and Flowers. This stunning Japanese vase, adorned with graceful birds nestled among flowering branches, feels like a love letter to spring itself. The delicate details and vibrant natural imagery make it a perfect representative for this treasured event.

What I cherish most about Art in Bloom is the sense of shared delight. It’s families, friends, and first-time visitors all pausing together to admire something beautiful. It’s color returning to our world after a challenging winter. It’s a community coming together to celebrate the beauty of spring. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this beloved tradition and in welcoming spring in the most artful way possible.

—Amanda Luke, Co-Chair, Art in Bloom

Party in Bloom: An Evening of Elegance, Artistry, and Spring in Full Bloom

• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 5:30–11 p.m.
• Mia galleries

Party in Bloom is the evening everyone looks forward to, and you’re invited to be part of it. Be among the first to step inside Mia for a stylish preview of Art in Bloom. Stroll in select galleries filled with florals, fashion, and vibrant after-hours energy.

Sip botanical cocktails from Steady Pour, enjoy delicious bites from Bûcheron (named 2025’s Best Restaurant), and discover a fresh spring fashion pop-up from MartinPatrick3. With live music, picture-perfect moments, and a wonderful crowd gathered in celebration, it’s a spring soirée you’ll be so glad you didn’t miss.

This year, the celebration unfolds across three distinct ticket tiers—each offering its own curated way to experience the night in full splendor.

Friends VIP: 5:30–11 p.m.

This is the ultimate way to experience Party in Bloom—and the most coveted invitation of the evening. Arrive ahead of the crowd. Enjoy the ease of complimentary valet parking, ensuring your arrival is as polished and effortless as the evening itself. Once inside, enjoy early access to select galleries before the celebration unfolds. Retreat to an exclusive VIP lounge featuring a hosted bar, champagne toast, elevated bites and desserts, and an elegant setting designed for mingling in style. Thoughtful floral touches, premium perks, and a luxe take-home gift complete the experience.

Reserved exclusively for Friends of the Institute, with availability intentionally limited.

Purchase tickets.

Artful Access: 7–11 p.m.

Enjoy an elevated way to celebrate. Enjoy complimentary valet parking and step into the main festivities with the added indulgence of a private lounge retreat featuring hosted wine and beer, a dessert tower curated by Bûcheron, and exclusive floral-inspired party favors. Sip and savor between gallery strolls while taking in fashion presentations by Martin Patrick3 and immersive floral moments. Designed for guests who appreciate a touch of refinement woven seamlessly throughout the evening.

Purchase tickets.

General Admission: 7–11 p.m.

When the doors open, the celebration comes to life! Enjoy a red-carpet arrival with complimentary valet parking. Indulge in passed appetizers by Bûcheron, cash bars, live music, vibrant floral installations, fashion moments from Martin Patrick3, and lively pop-ups throughout the museum. Energetic, social, and delightfully immersive—it’s the kind of evening you’ll wish would linger just a little longer.

Purchase tickets.

Art in Bloom: Come Together and Create Workshops

• Friday, April 24–Sunday, April 26, 2026
• Tickets required

Grab your friends, family, book club chums, and gardening buddies for an hour and a half of creative fun with Sarah Arnold of Bloomcroft! Sarah is an urban flower farmer, botanical artist, and designer based in Minneapolis.

Rooted in sustainability and storytelling, Arnold’s work bridges art, horticulture, and education. Each piece begins in the garden and reflects a deep respect for the natural cycle of plants, celebrating both abundance and impermanence. Through hands-on workshops and demonstrations, she invites participants to slow down, work thoughtfully with flowers, and experience the connection between art and nature.

The Art of the Hand-Tied Fresh Flower Bouquet

• Friday April 24, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• $65

Learn the timeless technique of crafting a hand-tied bouquet using fresh, garden-inspired blooms. This workshop emphasizes flow, balance, and gesture, resulting in a bouquet that feels abundant, natural, and effortlessly gathered.

Purchase tickets.

Ikebana: Finding Balance

• Friday April 24, 2–3:30 p.m.
• $80

Explore the quiet beauty of ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement. Learn how to focus on simplicity, line, and negative space while creating a fresh flower composition rooted in balance, intention, and mindfulness. All materials and supplies are provided, including a vase, a floral “frog,” and a florist box to transport your arrangement.

Purchase tickets.

Sustainable Fresh Floral Design

• Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• $85

Create a lush, seasonal arrangement using fresh flowers and sustainable, foam-free techniques. Learn thoughtful mechanics, natural movement, and design principles that honor both the beauty of flowers and the environment. All materials and supplies are provided, including a vase, reusable chicken wire pillow, and a florist box to transport your arrangement.

Purchase tickets.

Everlasting Botanical Cloche

• Saturday, April 25, 2–3:30
• $60

Design a sculptural, dried-flower composition (with up to five pieces) preserved beneath a glass cloche (cloche size: 3.15” x 6.3”). Work with carefully dried botanicals to create a timeless keepsake that celebrates texture, form, and the enduring beauty of flowers beyond bloom. All materials and supplies are provided.

Purchase tickets.

Framed Everlasting Florals

• Sunday April 26, 2–3:30
• $65

Create a refined pressed flower artwork suspended within a floating glass frame with a stand. This workshop blends art and botany, and will guide you in designing a delicate, lasting piece that highlights the intricate poetry of preserved blooms. All materials and supplies are provided.

Purchase tickets.

Calling All Art in Bloom Volunteers

It’s that time of year again! We’re dreaming of color and flowers and can’t wait to bring our community to the museum for our grand celebration of spring. This is a huge undertaking, and we can only do it with your help.

Love Art in Bloom? Enjoy working with people and being at the center of the excitement? Great! We have a place for you on our volunteer team!

Art in Bloom 2026 will be held April 23–26. While it’s too early to sign up for specific roles and times, we’re currently gathering names and contact information of all those interested in helping. We’ll reach out in late March with specific opportunities for you to choose from.

Don’t delay! Let us know your interest. And thank you!

Once Upon a Bloom

• Art in Bloom for Families
• Sunday, April 26, 2026, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Target Reception Hall

Join us on Sunday, April 26, with all the young people in your life for Art in Bloom family activities. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy creative artmaking and flower activities so children can bring some floral beauty home. There will be an Ikebana floral artist present to give everyone inspiration for their floral arrangements.

At 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., teaching artists from the Children’s Theatre Company will engage the group with movement and storytelling featuring a Japanese folk tale, Three Strong Women. The story follows a sumo wrestler learning how to be strong in mind, body, and heart through a family of strong women before a major competition. He discovers that strength is not just in his ability to win prizes, but to be responsible for his own strength and skills.

And, of course, we need many volunteers to make this fun event happen! Please consider joining us as a volunteer.

Art in Bloom Volunteer Opportunities

• Thursday, April 23–Sunday, April 26, 2026

We are on the doorsteps to 2026 Art in Bloom! This event couldn’t be all it is without you. Our sign-up sheet to volunteer for this year’s Art in Bloom is ready!

As usual, we’re using SignUp Genius. You’re able to sign up for specific days, times, and roles. We hope you’ll be able to help us this year. We love our volunteers!

If you have friends who you’d like to have put on our email list, please send them to SignUp Genius. We can’t wait to welcome in the flowers with you!

April Friends Book Club

• The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
• Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required

Join us in April as we read The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. Yasi Agah of the Feminist Book Club states, “Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran is a captivating novel that skillfully intertwines history, culture, and personal struggle. The novel follows the lives of two women, Elaheh (Ellie) and Homa, who are often hailed as the “Lion Women” for their remarkable courage and strength. They face a myriad of challenges, from societal norms and family expectations to political unrest and personal tragedies, against the backdrop of Iran’s turbulent history.”

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 May, we’ll read I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger, with discussion dates on May 15 and 16.

Friends Member Outings

Join your Friends to explore the treasures of the Twin Cities. Just in time for Art in Bloom, we’ll take a behind the scenes at the Como Conservatory in April. May will bring us on a special, private tour of the Thrivent Art Collection. In June, we wrap up our year with an outing to the Franconia Sculpture Park followed by lunch at WineHaven Winery.

More friends = more fun! We look forward to discovering the cultural treasures of the Twin Cities with you.

Guest spots are limited–RSVP today!

View the full schedule. RSVP for Friends Member Outings directly to Lezlie Pinske.

A Special Invitation from FRIENDS to Friends

• May 7, 2026, 6:15–8 p.m.
• Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis
• Tickets required

The FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra have invited the Mia Friends to their May 7, 2026, ACCENT reception, presentation and performance by Thomas Sondergard, Minnesota Orchestra Music Director, and Silver Ainomae, Associate Principal Cello and John and Barbara Boatwright Chair. They say: We are delighted to extend the invitation to this event to your general membership and look forward to you all joining us!

Read more about the event and purchase tickets. Please use the coupon code MIAFRIENDS with any “General Admission” ticket purchase to receive FRIENDS membership pricing of $50 per ticket.

Looking for Some New Faces

Would you like to become more involved with the Friends? Perhaps join the Board or do committee work? You’ll meet interesting people and do a lot of good and relevant work while supporting Mia, an art institution that is free and open to all. And you’ll have fun in the spirit of our vision statement, “Belonging, Learning, Giving.”

Contact Barbara Proeschel.

---

March 2026

I hope you are well. These are challenging times, asking of us our resilience, strength, and hope. Yet, resilience requires rest, while hope needs inspiration. Luckily for us all, rest and inspiration are here at the museum. A place for the community, Mia inspires us with wonder, challenges us with questions, and uplifts us not just through beauty, but by reminding us of our shared humanity. Come walk the halls. See what’s calling to you. Breathe. Great art is here, ready to lift you up and bring you joy.

What else will bring you joy? Art in Bloom! Our seasonal celebration of all things floral is arriving April 23–26, and we couldn’t be more excited. Anticipating spring and those beautiful flowers, we’re offering a Great Gathering on March 5. This features former news anchor Diana Pierce speaking on the seduction and symbolism of flowers. A festive floral themed cocktail, delicious food and wine, and good friends—it’s an evening you won’t want to miss! Purchase tickets. The deadline is February 26.

Once again we’re offering dedications for Art in Bloom. You can dedicate one of the 150 floral interpretations to a loved one throughout Art in Bloom. All dedications must be received by March 16, so there’s no time to waste.

Party in Bloom takes place on Wednesday, April 22, and promises an unforgettable evening in support of the Friends. Friends VIP guests enjoy an early red-carpet arrival at 5:30 p.m., access to a private lounge with hosted bar and small plates from Bûcheron, an exclusive first look at the floral installations before they open to the public, and a celebratory champagne toast—all within an intimate, beautifully styled setting. Purchase tickets.

As always, all funds raised will support the work of the Friends and help bring thousands of children to Mia through our Friends Bus Grant program.

Finally, we look forward to welcoming you to our lecture on Sunday, March 15, with mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski; to sharing our Members Outing to the Weisman Art Museum on Wednesday, March 4; and to discussing The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik at book club on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21. We are the Friends. We bring people together, foster community, and celebrate the arts. Come refresh your spirit with us. You’re always welcome here.

Thank you for being a Friend,

Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute

P.S. Please renew your membership if you haven’t yet! We’re so glad you’re with us!

Important March Dates

• March 5, 2026: Friends’ Great Gathering
• March 15, 2026: Friends Lecture: Clara Osowski
• March 20 and 21, 2026: Friends Book Club: The Bohemians

Art in Bloom Dates

• April 22, 2026: Party in Bloom
• April 24–26, 2026: Art in Bloom Floral Workshops
• April 26, 2026: Art in Bloom Family Day

March Great Gathering: The Seduction and Symbolism of Flowers

• Thursday, March 5, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Target Reception Hall
• $100; tickets required

It’s already been a long, hard winter in many ways. Look ahead to March 5 and join your Friends for a floral feast for the senses.

For 4,000 years, flowers have been weapons of seduction, tools of political power, and symbols of freedom potent enough to spark change. Join veteran Minnesota journalist and two-time Art in Bloom participant Diana Pierce for a visually rich journey through the scandalous history hiding in blooms. Told through paintings, textiles, and illustrations from museums worldwide, including treasures from Mia’s own collection, this talk traces how flowers have shaped our shared human story. From Cleopatra’s roses to Ukraine’s sunflowers, discover the surprising forces behind familiar blooms.

Enjoy a curated floral cocktail and wine, inspired appetizers, and airy flute music that heralds the coming of spring. You may even be a lucky winner of select door prizes.

Purchase tickets: $100 ($70 tax deductible)

Generously sponsored by Mary Olson. Proceeds support the work of the Friends.

March Friends Lecture: Clara Osowski, Mezzo-soprano

• The Intersection between Music as Art and Physical Objects as Art
• Sunday, March 15, 2026, 2 p.m.
• Pillsbury Auditorium
• Free; tickets required

Mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski, praised for singing “from inside the music with unaffected purity and sincerity,” is an active soloist and chamber musician known for her rich and radiant voice. She’s been a Metropolitan Opera National Council Upper-Midwest Regional Finalist and the recipient of a 2018–2019 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Musicians administered by the MacPhail Center for Music.

Join us as Osowski pairs musical performance with objects she selected from Mia’s collection, exploring the intersection between music as art and physical objects as art.

Get free tickets for this lecture.

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 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

We’re always looking for volunteers to usher these events. It’s a great way to meet new Friends and be part of our community. If you’d like to volunteer, email us.

March Friends Book Club

• The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik
• Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required

Join us in March as we read The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik. Claire Hamner Matturro of Compulsive Reader writes, “With crisp, eloquent prose, author Jasmin Darznik weaves a compelling story that brings the historical Dorothea Lange to life.… It’s a dazzling book.”

Dorothea Lange is known for the iconic photograph Migrant Mother (1936, Nipomo, California). Mia is proud to offer this artwork in the Art Adventure program for school groups touring the collection.

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 April, we’ll read The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, with discussion dates on April 17 and 18, 2026.

Art in Bloom

Join the Friends of the Institute and celebrate spring at Mia during Art in Bloom! Presented by the Friends, this year’s four-day festival takes place April 23–26, 2026. Free and open to everyone. Experience the floral beauty and fragrance throughout the museum, take a free guided tour, and enjoy family-friendly activities.

Get updates and learn more.

Art in Bloom Floral Pedestal Dedications

Looking for a meaningful way to commemorate a teacher who made a difference, memorialize a loved one, or celebrate a milestone? Floral Pedestal Dedications are a unique way to mark an occasion through Art in Bloom.

Participants may choose from a list of Mia artworks that will be matched with pedestal floral arrangements on view. Each pedestal can hold up to three dedications, with wording limited to 10 words or fewer (including recipients’ names). Dedications may be “In Honor Of” or “In Memory Of.”

Dedications are $75 and $100 per entry and close on March 16, 2026. Dedication registration is online and payable by credit card.

As always, dedications are part of the Friends Art in Bloom fundraiser, which helps fund transportation for school-aged children to visit Mia and begin their own journey with art.

Party in Bloom: A Celebration of Flowers, Friendship, and Community

• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, starting at 5:30 p.m.
• Mia galleries
• Tickets required; tiered pricing

Party in Bloom returns in full flourish with an elevated experience and tier-level pricing. Spring is on the horizon, and with it comes one of the season’s most anticipated gatherings.

With three curated ticket tiers, there’s an experience designed for every guest—though you may want to indulge in the exclusive Friends Experience VIP enclave.

Friends Experience begins at 5:30 p.m. with complimentary valet service at the 24th Street entrance. After you ascend the iconic staircase, enjoy live jazz, a sumptuous buffet crafted by Bûcheron, a graciously hosted bar, and a lounge inside Gallery 200—an atmosphere designed for effortless glamour.

At 7 p.m., the celebration expands as additional ticket tiers are welcomed. Explore more music, dancing, curated delights, and, of course, flowers. Be among the first to see the floral installations adorning the galleries alongside the party. Purchase tickets.

Art in Bloom: Come Together and Create Workshops

• Friday, April 24–Sunday, April 26, 2026
• Tickets required; registration details coming soon

This year, Art in Bloom will present five different workshops to tickle your creative self. Sarah Arnold of Bloomcroft and a local flower farmer, botanical artist, and designer is back to lead these imaginative, 90-minute classes.

Workshop times:

• Friday, April 24, 2026: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25, 2026: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Sunday, April 26, 2026: 2 p.m.

Workshops include:

• The Art of the Hand-Tied Bouquet
• Ikebana: Finding Balance
• Sustainable Floral Design
• Everlasting Botanicals Under Glass
• Framed Everlasting Floral

Tell your garden club, book club, friends, and family, and keep an eye out for registration details.

Calling All Art in Bloom Volunteers

It’s that time of year again! We’re dreaming of color and flowers and can’t wait to bring our community to the museum for our grand celebration of spring. This is a huge undertaking, and we can only do it with your help.

Love Art in Bloom? Enjoy working with people and being at the center of the excitement? Great! We have a place for you on our volunteer team!

Art in Bloom 2026 will be held April 23–26. While it’s too early to sign up for specific roles and times, we’re currently gathering names and contact information of all those interested in helping. We’ll reach out in late March with specific opportunities for you to choose from.

Don’t delay! Let us know your interest. And thank you!

Once Upon a Bloom

• Art in Bloom for Families
• Sunday, April 26, 2026, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Target Reception Hall

Join us on Sunday, April 26, with all the young people in your life for Art in Bloom family activities. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy creative artmaking and flower activities so children can bring some floral beauty home.

At 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., teaching artists from the Children’s Theatre Company will engage the group with movement and storytelling featuring a Japanese folk tale, Three Strong Women. The story follows a sumo wrestler learning how to be strong in mind, body, and heart through a family of strong women before a major competition.

Volunteers Needed!

We need many volunteers to make this fun event happen! Please consider volunteering to help us! Watch for the Art in Bloom volunteer sign up to go live. In the meantime, you can register your interest.

Friends Member Outings

Join your Friends to explore the treasures of the Twin Cities. Remaining outings include artworks from the Weisman Museum (March), behind-the-scenes at the Como Conservatory (April), a visit to the private art collection at Thrivent (May), and Franconia Sculpture Park (June).

View the full schedule available. Guest spots are limited—RSVP today to Lezlie Pinske.

---

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

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.

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 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.