The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) will celebrate the arrival of spring during Art in Bloom, a perennial event during which talented volunteer and commercial floral artists interpret artworks in the galleries. Presented by Friends of the Institute and now in its 37th year, Art in Bloom takes place April 23–26, 2020. The four-day festival will showcase over 160 fresh floral arrangements as well as impressive commercial florist installations while raising funds for student fieldtrips to the museum.

Art in Bloom is Mia’s most popular fundraiser, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. Highlights include lectures and demonstrations, as well as special events, free daily tours, hands-on workshops, and a pop-up Art in Bloom Shop. Art in Bloom hours match the museum’s normal hours all weekend. Mia has partnered this year with Metro Transit to provide free bus and light-rail rides to the museum on Saturday and Sunday.

Proceeds from ticketed lectures, demonstrations, and luncheons, as well as sales from the Art in Bloom Shop, fund the Friends of the Institute’s efforts to bring more than 81,000 school-aged children to the museum and provide off-site arts education to nearly 93,000 pre-K–Grade 12 students.

Visit the Art in Bloom page on Mia’s website for the complete 2020 Art in Bloom program and ticket information. General admission to Art in Bloom is free.

The festive rite of spring kicks off with a ticketed gala preview party on the evening of Wednesday, April 22. Thursday is the official start of Art in Bloom, with a new program, the Great Floral Design Dash, bringing together some of Minnesota’s best floral designers; audiences can see these local artists at work—and working against the clock. Lee Valsvik of KOOL108 will provide entertaining color commentary throughout. Thursday evening is the free Flowers After Hours party.

Friday starts off with a ticketed fashion show and formal luncheon, followed by a keynote panel discussion in the afternoon with artists Holly Young, Graci Horne, and Jill Ahlberg Yohe, Mia’s associate curator of Native American art. Saturday includes a free family storytelling and craft event and a fascinating lecture from a former FBI special agent about stolen floral artworks. Events throughout the weekend include hands-on floral design and cocktail classes, evening parties, and free guided tours of the floral works.

Thursday, April 23

The Great Floral Design Dash, 10 a.m.

See some of Minnesota’s best floral designers at work—and competing against the clock. Tickets: $25

Master Class: The Art of the Armature with Adam Gladue, 2–4 p.m.

Adam Gladue of Arts and Flowers will help you learn the latest style in floral design using structures to create a stunning, sculptural take-home display. No experience necessary. Tickets: $150

Bachman’s Flowers After Hours, 5:30–9 p.m.

Stroll through the museum filled with fresh floral art, chat with Pedestal Floral Artists, take a tour, and relax and mingle with a backdrop of live music. Cash bar. Free; no tickets required.

Bachman’s Floral Couture Fashion Shows: 6 and 7 p.m.

Get inspired for spring with an entertaining array of wearable floral creations. Free; no tickets required.

Friday, April 24

Fashion Show & Formal Luncheon, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Start with a champagne toast, then catch the latest Spring fashion trends, with wearable confections from Galleria shops and emceed by Grant Whittaker. Afterward, enjoy a multi-course luncheon. Ticket info at artsmia.org.

Keynote Panel Discussion, 3 p.m.
Khéya Wíta Wókaǧe kiŋ: Dakhóta Yuȟáȟa Wakáǧapi, An Art of Turtle Island: Dakota Floral
Presenters: Artists Holly Young and Graci Horne, with Jill Ahlberg Yohe, Mia’s associate curator of Native American art. Holly Young, creator of this year’s signature artwork and Graci Horne will discuss how their Native heritage inspires their artwork, while Alhberg Yohe offers an insider’s look at how Mia curates its collection. Tickets: $25

Mixology Workshop: Art of the Perfect Cocktail & Tour, sessions at 4 and 6:30 p.m.

Norseman Distillery will teach the fine art of crafting the perfect cocktail: three recipes per session, each with a distinctive floral twist. Snacks included. The event continues with a special tour of Mia’s more “spirited” works. Tickets: $75

Friday Night Flowers, 5:30–9 p.m.

Tour the floral displays and return to the lobby to mingle with live music by Ben Lubeck and a cash bar. Free; no tickets required.

Make-and-Take Workshop: Spring Windowbox, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Join Jenn Hovland, CPFD, of Fleur de Louise Flower Studio in Stillwater as she teaches floral design techniques to create a beautiful window box style floral arrangement in a fresh Spring palette to take home. No floral experience necessary. Tickets: $50

Saturday, April 25

Free Family Event: Storytelling and Craft, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Enjoy a reading of the popular children’s book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and make a child-friendly craft for kids of all ages. Free; no tickets required.

Lecture: Stolen Floral Art, 11 a.m.

Presenter: Deborah Strebel Pierce
Pierce, a former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, describes the Art Theft Program and National Stolen Art File in the FBI, shares stories of thefts of much-coveted floral artworks, along with her experiences recovering stolen art. Tickets: $25

Mixology Workshop: Art of the Perfect Cocktail & Tour, 3 p.m.

Norseman Distillery will teach the fine art of crafting the perfect cocktail: three recipes per session, each with a distinctive floral twist. Snacks included. The event continues with a special tour of Mia’s more “spirited” works. Tickets: $75

Tours

Free 45-minute guided tours of the floral displays

Thursday and Friday: 10:15 & 11:15 a.m. and 1:15, 2:15 & 7:15 p.m.

Saturday: 10:15 & 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 & 2:15 p.m.

Sunday: 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 & 2:15 p.m.

Premier Sponsor: Target; Lead Sponsor: Bachman’s; Lifestyle Sponsor: Artful Living; Major Sponsors: Martha Head, Samuel and Patricia McCullough; Media Partner: Star Tribune; Ride Sponsor: Metro Transit; Generous Sponsors: Hirshfield’s, Linda and Phil Boelter, Galleria Edina, Lakewood Cemetery, Melanie Nelson, RBC Wealth Management: Brooks Kohn Group, Tom and Lynn Schaefer Charitable Trust, Norseman Distillery; Supporting Sponsors: Christine and Robert D. Salmen, Kathryn and Stephen Remole, Mary Grau, Maria Eggemeyer, Barbara and Bob Scott, JeanMarie Burtness