MINNEAPOLIS (March 23, 2023) – The Minneapolis Institute of Art’s (Mia) Art in Bloom, an annual celebration featuring imaginative floral interpretations of selected works of art from Mia’s permanent collection, is returning for its 39th year April 27 – April 30, 2023. Presented by the Friends of the Institute, this much anticipated event is free and open to the public. This year, the Friends of the Institute will recognize honorary chair Helen Johnson Waldron, co-chair of Mia’s first Art in Bloom in 1984.
Featured this year will be the floral interpretation of artworks across the museum from more than 100 Pedestal Floral Artists and twelve Commercial Floral Artists, who will create special reimaginations of Manchu Woman’s Unofficial Informal Summer Robe, an important 19th century Chinese embroidered silk gauze robe.
Visitors are invited to experience the floral beauty and fragrance throughout the museum over the course of the four-day festival and can participate in free activities including guided museum tours, family activities catered to younger guests and more. Additionally, guests can participate in exclusive ticketed happenings including a “Party in Bloom” celebration event and special seminars from award-winning speakers and thought leaders. Tickets for these special events are available now for purchase online.
Highlights of this year’s special Art in Bloom events include:
Cultivating Place and a Garden Culture of Care with Jennifer Jewell (Thursday, April 27) – Jennifer Jewell, author and national award-winning public radio program host, will share the philosophy of Cultivating Place, the idea that gardens and gardeners can be powerful agents for change in our world. Not only can they foster health and well being, but gardens can help address challenges such as climate change, habitat loss, and even cultural polarization. Jewell will explore the roles we play, the gardening practices we engage in, and how these impact the greater world. She will share resources and ideas that can guide us in ways we can all grow our world better – and beautifully. An inspirational thinker and presenter, Jewell regularly serves as a keynote speaker for horticultural organizations large and small across the country. TICKETED EVENT.
Party in Bloom (Friday, April 28) – The Friends of the Institute invite you to celebrate the 39th annual Art in Bloom event at Party in Bloom, a fresh reimagining of the former Preview Party, hosted by the Galleria. This spectacular evening celebrating the beauty of spring with flowers and friends begins at Mia’s 24th Street entrance. Upon arrival, guests can socialize during cocktail hour in the Thomas Barlow Walker Gallery and wind through the galleries for an intimate look at some floral art interpretations on their way to dinner in the Reception Hall, followed by a rare after-hours experience in the Artful Living ‘Artful Afters Lounge’. Complimentary valet and a hosted bar are included with each ticket. TICKETED EVENT.
Beauty and Bounty: Creating Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens for People, Plants and Pollinators (Saturday, April 29) – Learn the secrets of success to attain a beautiful garden, yard or patio full of blooms with gorgeous, sustainable plantings for every season with horticultural experts from the University of Minnesota and Bachman’s. This 90-minute seminar will include information on the best practices and resources in sustainable design, pollinator support and tips on how to create and care for a gorgeous garden. Heather Johnson, who regularly appears on Bachman’s WCCO segment as a lead horticulturalist, will moderate the presentations. TICKETED EVENT.

Buds & Bloomers Family Event (Sunday, April 30) – This family-friendly event, sponsored by Stifel, is inspired by Art in Bloom’s focal piece, Manchu Woman’s Unofficial Informal Summer Robe, a 19th century embroidered silk robe, and includes dance performances by young dancers from the CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, as well as a take-home fresh flower art project. Performances by CAAM Chinese Dance Theater will take place at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 12:30 PM. FREE EVENT.
Art in Bloom is made possible by lead sponsor Bachman’s, major sponsors Stifel and Artful Living, Party in Bloom host Galleria and generous sponsors Dual Citizen Brewing Co. and Lakewood Cemetery.
For more information on Mia’s Art in Bloom festival, as well as the featured events, visit ArtsMia.org.