Decorah residents interested in Norwegian-American art will be able to watch a free Vesterheim program from home this fall. The online Cultural Connections webinar is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, and participants will not need to travel to the museum or another venue.

The one-hour program will feature artist Tara demonstrating 10 rosemaling designs inspired by plants found in the boreal ecosystem. The presentation will also discuss botanical art and the history of plant classification, connecting traditional brushwork with contemporary botanical design.

How Decorah residents can attend

There is no charge to participate, but advance registration with Vesterheim is required. People who register will receive the Zoom meeting link and other connection information. The supplied event information does not provide a separate registration deadline, so residents planning to attend should register before the Oct. 4 program.

The event is promoted to Decorah residents, while its online format also allows people outside the area to attend. For local viewers, the virtual format means the program can be watched from home rather than requiring a trip to Vesterheim.

Ten plants will inspire the demonstration

The rosemaling designs will draw on 10 plants associated with the boreal ecosystem:

  • Trout Lily
  • Rowan Berry
  • Lady’s Slipper
  • Blue Flag Iris
  • Wild Rose
  • Coral Root
  • Arrowhead
  • Pipsissewa
  • Marsh Marigold
  • Maple Leaf

The plants will serve as more than simple subjects for viewers to copy. The presentation will examine newer interpretations of plant forms through established rosemaling techniques and show how traditional painting practices can be adapted for contemporary botanical design.

Art and the history of plant classification

Alongside the painting demonstration, the webinar will include a brief discussion of botanical art and the history of plant classification. The program will reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl. Dahl’s name remains part of the word “dahlia,” linking the history of classification with the plant-focused artwork featured in the session.

Residents interested in modern botanical art, established rosemaling techniques or the continuing development of traditional craft practices through contemporary art should register with Vesterheim in advance to obtain the Zoom information.