Frozen Masterpieces Return to Mia for Institute of Ice

Visitors can browse ice sculptures inspired by Mia’s collection starting Feb. 6

Minnesota loves a winter art spectacle of any kind, from the ice carving competitions at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and the Minnesota Ice Festival to Art Shanty Projects atop frozen Lake Harriet. And starting next week, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) will join the lineup with the return of its annual Institute of Ice event.

Starting Thursday, Feb. 6, guests can experience Mia’s collection like never before: in frozen form. Hand-carved ice sculptures inspired by popular works like Your Dog by Yoshitomo Nara and Raffaelo Monti’s Veiled Lady, plus pieces from the upcoming Giant: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys exhibition, will be on display in Mia’s Target Park.

Courtesy of Mia

Like other programming at Mia, admission to the event is totally free, and the sculptures will be on display during museum hours until the ice melts. Temperatures might creep into the 30s again as soon as next weekend, so be sure to visit early and catch these works in their prime.

The opening party on Feb. 6 (5-9 p.m.) will feature more than just ice sculptures—guests can also enjoy live carving demonstrations, an ice bar with winter-themed beverages, eggrolls from the KCM Eggroll food truck, winter lantern-making, live DJ sets, and more. No registration required.

Courtesy of Mia

As Managing Editor of Minnesota Monthly, Macy strives to capture the Spirit of Minnesota through impactful storytelling and engaging content. Obsessed with all things entertainment and pop culture, her editorial background encompasses a wide variety of arts and lifestyle coverage—from interviewing local musicians and Broadway actors to exploring that trend you can’t stop hearing about. With her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the Twin Cities, Macy is passionate about the people, places, and ideas driving Minnesota’s culture. You can often find her cuddling her two cats, seeing a local band, or crossing movies off her ever-growing watchlist.