Eden Prairie artists help bring spring to life at Art in Bloom

For two Eden Prairie residents, Art in Bloom isn’t just an annual event – it’s a deeply personal celebration of art, nature, and community.

Floral artists Mimi Schirber and Meg Hillary will once again represent Eden Prairie in Art in Bloom 2025, a four-day exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), where more than 100 floral designers create arrangements inspired by works from the museum’s permanent collection.

🌸 ‘A balm’ to her soul: Mimi Schirber’s floral journey

Mimi Schirber moved to Eden Prairie three years ago, but her love for Art in Bloom began more than two decades ago during her first Minnesota winter.

“It was a balm to my soul,” she said of her first visit. “Spring before spring had actually arrived.”

Now in her second year as a participating artist, Schirber is interpreting Door (African) — a carved wooden door from East Africa.

“I thought about how we all create a space at our front door,” she said. “Whether we carve meaningful signs, choose a paint color, or add a welcome mat – it tells something about us.”

🌳 ‘A feeling of being in the painting’: Meg Hillary’s return

For Meg Hillary, Art in Bloom has become an annual tradition. A 26-year Eden Prairie resident, Hillary is interpreting “Wooded Hillside with a Vista” by 17th-century Dutch painter Jan Dirksz Both. Her floral design mirrors the landscape’s earthy tones using muted flowers and a copper tree sculpture.

“My goal was to create a feeling of being in the painting,” she explained. “The process pushes your imagination – it’s challenging in the best way.”

🌼 Art in Bloom 2025: When, where and what to see

📍 Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)
🗓️ April 24-27
🎟️ Admission is FREE!

🕒 Mia hours during the festival:

• Thursday, April 24: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Friday-Sunday, April 25-27: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

✨ Special events at Mia

• 🌟 Party in Bloom (Friday, April 25, 6-10 p.m.): Preview floral art, enjoy champagne, and a Latin American-inspired dinner.
• 🌺 The Art of Designing a Brand with Ashley Fox (Thursday, April 24, 6 p.m.)
• 🌸 Hand-Tied Bouquets Workshop with Sarah Arnold (Friday, April 25, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
• 🌿 Ikebana Workshop with Sarah Arnold (Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

🚗 Getting there: Parking and accessibility

Due to area construction and high attendance, public transportation or ridesharing is strongly encouraged.

• Daily parking: Ramp $25, Surface Lot $20 (credit card only)
• Valet: $30 (cash only) or $5 with disability permit — Thursday: 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Free public tours: 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. daily + 7:15 p.m. Thursday
• Open studio: Cyanotype Printing: Thursday, 5-7 p.m.
• Family Day + Colombia Live: Sunday, April 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (performances at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.)
• Mona’s Bakery pop-up: Sunday from 10 a.m. until sold out
• Mezzanine Restaurant: Open varied hours daily
• Food trucks: Full schedule here

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Editor’s note: This is the latest installment of Rachel’s Reviews, where Rachel Engstrom, a contributor to Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN), reviews various aspects of Eden Prairie and beyond. Do you have ideas for reviews? Reach out to Rachel Engstrom at rachel.engstrom@eplocalnews.org.