Past Friends Newsletters

September 2026

Welcome back to another exciting year! I’m so pleased to lead this wonderful organization as its president. It’s an honor to work with you all to build our community of Mia supporters and art lovers. Our work enhances awareness of and access to the museum by offering free lectures to the public, transporting thousands of school children here each year through bus grants, and bringing to life our beloved Art in Bloom for the entire region to enjoy. It’s thanks to all of you, your membership and gifts, that this work is possible. Thank you!

I’m feeling a little nostalgic today. Saying goodbye to summer is always a little sad. Did you manage to get away, maybe up north? The Great Lakes have always been a part of my life. The quiet calm of the day’s beginning, when the sun begins to blaze over the water; the blasting and buffeting of waves during big storms; and the peaceful shushing of water over sand—these sights and sounds resonate deeply with me and settle my soul. George Morrison captures these feelings in his many works: the peace, the beauty, and the ruggedness of Lake Superior shine forth for all to experience. Come by and see for yourself!

While you’re here, make sure to check out some of the new exhibitions appearing at Mia in September. Experience paintings and a film by Titus Kaphar in “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” María Berrío will show us monumental collages made from Japanese paper in “María Berrío: Songlines,” and crop art returns September 19!

We hope to see you at this season’s exciting opening lecture on Sunday September 13. Fashion historian Valerie Steele will be presenting “Paris, Capital of Fashion” in anticipation of fall’s “Paris Couture” exhibition. Please call to register for our pre-lecture tour to see fashion through art, too! Our book club is starting back strong with discussions and tours on Like Water for Chocolate on September 18 and 19. And read on to learn more about a fabulous Great Gathering and our Fall Luncheon, both coming in October. We hope you can join us!

I look forward to spending time with you throughout the year, supporting our work and having fun together.

Thank you for being a Friend,

Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute

Important September Dates

• August 28, 2026: Friends Special Tour: “Meeting Point: The Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad Collection of Latin American Art”
• September 10, 2026: Friends Member Outing to the Textile Center
• September 13, 2026: Friends Lecture: Valerie Steele, “Paris: Capital of Fashion”
• September 17, 2026: Coffee & Scones
• September 18 and 19, 2026: Friends Book Club: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

September Friends Lecture: Valerie Steele

• “Paris, Capital of Fashion”
• Sunday, September 13, 2026, 2 p.m.
• Pillsbury Auditorium
• Free, tickets required

In honor of Mia’s upcoming “Paris Couture” exhibition, the Friends of the Institute are pleased to announce Valerie Steele as our September speaker. The lecture promises an engaging experience for all attendees, especially art and fashion lovers alike.

Steele is a renowned American fashion historian, curator, and the director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She’s authored over eight influential books on fashion history and is widely regarded as a pioneer in the field.

Her book, Paris Fashion: A Cultural History, explores why Paris became—and continues to be—the world’s fashion capital. Steele presents fashion as a social and cultural phenomenon rather than merely a chronological account of designers.

Join us to hear Steele and celebrate Mia’s upcoming exhibition “Paris Couture.”

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. This month, we’ll be following a fashion-in-art theme. Attendance is limited to 15 participants, and participants meet outside the Friends Office. Reserve your spot by calling Visitor Engagement: 612-870-3000.

Volunteer Opportunity: Lecture Ushers Needed

A new lecture season is about to begin, and we can’t wait to see you there. The first lecture kicks off on Sunday, September 13, at 2 p.m., and the line-up for the year is truly outstanding.

We’re also looking for friendly faces to help usher at these events. It’s a great way to meet fellow Friends and be part of the action. If you’d like to volunteer, email the Friends.

Save the Date: Fall Luncheon

Following the Friends Lecture on Thursday, October 15, join us for a lovely meal to get to know one another better and support the Friends. Online registration opens on September 15, or call the Mia ticketing desk.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for Thursday, December 10, for the holiday luncheon.

Friends Great Gatherings

A Very Special October Event

Mark your calendar now for a unique and exciting Friends of the Institute Great Gathering on Wednesday, October 7, 5:30–8 p.m., at The Quinlan Room in the beautiful, historic Young-Quinlan building on Nicollet Mall. This event features Rick Nelson, a 24-year restaurant, food, and architecture critic for the Star Tribune.

A James Beard award winner, Nelson is well-known as the co-author of The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book and The Great Minnesota Cookie Book and the author of City-Smart Guidebook: Minneapolis and St. Paul. Copies of the books will be available for sale and an autograph!

Nelson is currently working on a biography of Elizabeth Quinlan, the brilliant Minneapolis merchant behind the Young-Quinlan Co. specialty store. You may remember Young-Quinlan’s reincarnations as the temporary Harold store, Polo Ralph Lauren, and JB Hudson Jewelers. The landmark building recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and a new life as The Quinlan Room in partnership with the Dakota.

Enjoy an appetizer buffet and sweet treats by the Dakota, wine, beer, and mocktails as you listen to a three-piece jazz band followed by a conversation with Nelson and his abundant stories about food, architecture, and Elizabeth Quinlan, all in this unique space. Complimentary valet parking is included. Tickets are $125 and go on sale on September 7. Proceeds support the work of the Friends.

This exciting evening is made possible by the generosity of Bob and Sue Greenberg and The 614 Company. The Friends of the Institute are deeply grateful for this special gift.

In an interview with Jon Bream of the Star Tribune, Nelson called The Quinlan Room “the most beautiful space in downtown Minneapolis. Damn, that space looks great. I’d love to have a party there.”

Let’s do that on October 7, 5:30–8 p.m.!

Say Hello to Saint Matthew

By Barbara Proeschel

On your next trip to Mia, stop by gallery 313 to see this life-sized statue of Saint Matthew and the Angel. This exceptional Italian 16th century terracotta sculpture represents Saint Matthew the Evangelist and likely came from the university town of Padua. The statue is rare with very few examples outside of Italy.

Saint Matthew and the Angel has recently been attributed to Agostino Zoppo, a Paduan bronze founder who worked for Jacopo Sansovino, the Florentine Renaissance artist who helped revolutionize sculpture in northern Italy and Venice.

Mia acquired the statue in 1976, but it hasn’t been on view for more than 30 years. While remarkably well preserved, the sculpture required stabilization and cleaning for it to go on display.

During the Art in Bloom 2025 Party in Bloom, the Friends were able to raise the amount of money required to conserve the statue through a Fund-a-Need program introduced by Mary Olson and former anchor Diana Pierce.

We should be proud of the attribution on the label, “Conserved with funds from the Friends of the Institute, Art in Bloom 2025”!

Friends School Bus Grant Program

For more than 30 years, the Friends have provided bus transportation grants to K–12 schools, enabling children to come see Mia’s world-class art collection. The Friends, the Transportation Endowment Fund, and generous donors interested in providing museum access to youth in our region have made funding for the Friends School Bus Grant program possible.

For the 2025–26 school year, the Friends School Bus Grant Program’s impact was:

• 80 schools visited Mia from throughout the region
• 130 buses were underwritten
• Approximately 7,800 students were transported to Mia
• Friends School Bus Grant expenditure: $32,500

Your donations make a difference! Thank you for your help in bringing children to Mia.

September Friends Member Outing: Textile Center

Join us for our first member event of the year! The tour will show us the library, classrooms, exhibit spaces, dye lab, and dye plant garden that support fiber artists of all kinds. Afterward we’ll explore the current art exhibit, the shop, and the Stashery (donated materials available for purchase) on our own. Then, join us for lunch right across the street at Tacosito.

Thursday, September 10, 2026, 10:30 a.m.
No cost. RSVP required to Kristen Mengelkoch

September Friends Book Club

• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
• Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required

Join us in September as we read Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Goodreads says, “The number one bestseller in Mexico and America for almost two years, and subsequently a bestseller around the world, Like Water for Chocolate is a romantic, poignant tale, touched with moments of magic, graphic earthiness, bittersweet wit, and recipes.”

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 Friends 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 October, we’ll read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, with discussion dates on October 16 and 17.

Recap: Friends’ Day at the Arboretum

By Chris Vickery

In June, the Mia Friends Board was honored to be invited to a Day at the Arboretum, hosted by the Arboretum Auxiliary. This was an initial opportunity to get to know the Auxiliary, learn about their organization, and share mutual interests. We began the day with a guided tour of the Harrison Sculpture Garden, led by Wendy De Paolis, followed by free time to socialize, tour the gardens, visit the Reedy Gallery, and spend time in the gift shop. We ended our day with a delicious lunch at Rootstock and a special dessert created by Chef Beth. It was a beautiful summer day shared with another Minnesota organization.

We look forward to creating future connections with the Arboretum Auxiliary and our memberships.

Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones

• Thursday, September 17, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
• Friends Office

Curious about the Friends of the Institute? Join us on Thursday, September 17, at 9:30 a.m. in the Friends office for conversation. RSVP today.

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June 2026

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling breathless! This has been a year packed full of gathering, learning, and fun. In addition to our nine monthly lectures, we’ve had book clubs, luncheons, member outings all over the Twin Cities, Art and Architecture tours to Milwaukee and Santa Fe, Coffee & Scones meetings, Great Gatherings, and more. We offered a record $42,000 worth of school bus grants, representing 10,000 student visits to Mia. Art in Bloom brought in its second highest total attendance ever, with 58,000 people visiting Thursday through Sunday. This has been a stellar year of doing what the Friends do best: building community while supporting Mia in making great art accessible to all.

And while our fiscal year is coming to a close, the fun isn’t over quite yet. We have one more (sold out) Friends Member Outing before our summer break, to Franconia Sculpture Park on June 3 with lunch at Winehaven Winery afterwards. In addition, Coffee & Scones meets June 16, where you can meet other Friends, learn more about the organization, and get information on how to deepen your relationship with Friends through volunteering. Finally, the last book club before the break will be June 19 and 20, where we’ll discuss The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger.

Your next newsletter will be sent at the end of August. By then, we’ll be full of plans for another stellar year of good work and good times, led by a mix of new and experienced committee chairs. To our current chairs and their committees, I extend a heartfelt “Bravo!” My first year as president has been a joy because of you, your commitment, and creativity. And to all of you members, dear Friends all, I thank you for being a part of this special organization. Our work together, in time and in financial contributions, enhances the work of the museum we love and broadens access for all. We do this work together, and it matters.

Until August. Enjoy your summer.

Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute

June Dates

• June 3, 2026: Friends Member Outing: Franconia Sculpture Park
• June 14, 2026: Mia Family Day Volunteer Opportunity
• June 16, 2026: Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones
• June 19 and 20, 2026: Friends Book Club: The River We Remember  

Volunteer Opportunity

Mia Family Day
• Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Sunday, July 12, 2026
• Sunday, August 9, 2026
• Sunday, September 13, 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 willingness to support families as they explore the arts.

Our next Family Day is Sunday, June 14, and monthly throughout the summer. If you’re interested in becoming a Family Day volunteer, please email Family Day.

Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones

• Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 10 a.m.
• Friends Office

Curious about the Friends of the Institute? Join us on Tuesday, June 16, at 10 a.m. in the Friends Office for coffee, scones, and conversation. RSVP today.

June Friends Book Club

• The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
• Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required

This year, my family had the meaningful opportunity to participate in Art in Bloom by purchasing a floral dedication in honor of our parents, John and Theresa Cox. We selected a work of art that had been previewed during Party in Bloom, making the party experience even more celebratory.

When our parents discovered the dedication, they were completely surprised and genuinely delighted. It was a heartfelt moment that truly made their evening, one we’ll all remember for years to come. The dedication was our way of expressing gratitude for everything they’ve given our family: their unwavering love, constant support, and the foundation they’ve built for all of us.

The experience became even more unforgettable as Art in Bloom continued. Throughout the weekend, friends sent text messages to my parents after seeing the dedication.

Art in Bloom floral dedications offer a beautiful way to celebrate loved ones, blending art, flowers, and personal storytelling into a truly unforgettable experience. For our family, it was more than just a display—it was a tribute filled with love, gratitude, and connection.

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May 2026

This must be one of the cheeriest images in Mia’s collection. There’s just something about the fresh, young green of the grass and the sunlight dappling the trees that exclaims the joy of spring. Even the bright red chimneys in the distance add a dollop of happiness. The world is sparkling and new and feels full of possibilities. What an uplifting moment for our spirits and our smiles. A new beginning is here, and isn’t that refreshing?

And speaking of new beginnings, Art in Bloom week opens today! We hope to see you wearing your best floral fashions to Party in Bloom. Perhaps you’ll be attending a workshop or two throughout the weekend or bringing your young ones to our family event, Once Upon a Bloom on Sunday. There is so much to do! Remember, while Art in Bloom is free for all to attend, it’s also our largest fundraiser of the year. Please give generously online or in the donation boxes. All proceeds support the Friends and help bring thousands of students to Mia each year.

The fun doesn’t end with Art in Bloom, of course. May is also a busy month, with beloved activities and traditions you won’t want to miss. Our Member Outing on May 6 is a tour of the extraordinary Thrivent Art Collection.

On May 14, Mia’s own Max Bryant, James Ford Bell Associate Curator of European and Decorative Arts, will lecture on the history and conservation of a remarkable Renaissance tapestry that hasn’t been seen by the public since 1950. Afterwards, please join us for our annual May luncheon. It’s such a delight to gather together and enjoy each other’s company over a lovely meal. Get your tickets by May 4. We’ve also planned a pre-lecture tour, giving you fun activities both before and after the lecture! Please call Mia at 612-870-3000 to reserve your spot on the tour.

Finally, our beloved book club meets for a conversation followed by a tour on May 15 and 16. We’ll be discussing I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. Read on for all the details. We hope to see you often!

As always, I am so happy to be sharing this Friendship with you.

Liz Short
President, Friends of the Institute

May Dates

• May 14, 2026: Friends Lecture: Max Bryant, “Francesco Salviati’s Tapestry of the Meeting of Dante and Virgil (1547–49)”
• May 14, 2026: Friends Spring Luncheon
• May 14, 2026: Meet New Friends: Coffee & Scones
• April 17 and 18, 2026: Friends Book Club: I Cheerfully Refuse

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

Volunteer Opportunities

Friends Lecture Ushers
• Thursday, May 14, 2026

Friends volunteers are needed to usher at upcoming lecture events, including May 14. It’s a great way to meet new Friends and be part of our community. If you’d like to volunteer, email us.

Mia Family Day
• Sunday, May 10

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 willingness to support families as they explore the arts.

If you’re interested, please email Family Day.

A Special Opportunity for 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 Søndergård, 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.

April Friends Book Club

• I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
• Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.
• Museum tour, 11 a.m.
• Friends Office
• Free; registration required

Join us in May as we read the tale of Rainy, an aspiring musician setting sail on Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved, bookselling wife. Our novel this month received the Goodreads Choice Award for Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Science Fiction for 2024.

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 June, we’ll read The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger, with discussion dates on June 19 and 20.