Decorah residents interested in Norwegian-American art will be able to join a free Vesterheim rosemaling demonstration from home on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The virtual Cultural Connections program will run from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time, allowing local participants to take part without traveling to Vesterheim or another venue.
Registration is required even though the webinar is free. Participants must complete Vesterheim’s registration process before the program to receive the Zoom link and other connection information.
Artist will demonstrate 10 plant-inspired designs
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 original rosemaling designs inspired by plants from the boreal ecosystem. The program will examine how the form and character of each plant can influence decorative painting, while showing how traditional rosemaling brushwork can be adapted for contemporary botanical design.
The demonstration’s featured plants are:
- Trout Lily
- Rowan Berry
- Lady’s Slipper
- Blue Flag Iris
- Wild Rose
- Coral Root
- Arrowhead
- Pipsissewa
- Marsh Marigold
- Maple Leaf
Rather than presenting the plants only as subjects to copy, the session will connect established painting methods with newer interpretations of plant forms. That focus gives attendees an opportunity to see how a traditional craft can be used in contemporary botanical artwork.
Webinar also explores plant classification
Vesterheim’s presentation will go beyond the painting demonstration with a brief discussion of botanical art and the history of plant classification. The session will include references to Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl.
Dahl’s name remains part of the word “dahlia,” creating a historical link between the plant-focused artwork and the development of plant classification. By combining rosemaling, botanical design and Norwegian-American arts, the webinar will consider how plant history and traditional painting can inform one another.
Rosemaling is a decorative painting tradition associated with Norwegian-American art. The October 4 program is intended for people interested in modern botanical art, established rosemaling techniques and the continuing development of traditional craft practices through contemporary art.
Although the event is promoted to Decorah residents, it is also open to people outside the area. The online format gives local participants a chance to connect with a broader audience through Vesterheim’s Cultural Connections program. Anyone planning to attend should register before the session begins because registration is necessary to receive the Zoom information.