Decorah residents interested in Norwegian-American art will have a chance to explore rosemaling from home during a free Vesterheim Cultural Connections webinar scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
The one-hour online program will run from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time. Because the event will be held online, local viewers will not need to travel to Vesterheim or another venue. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom meeting link and other connection information.
What viewers will see
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 rosemaling designs inspired by plants of the boreal ecosystem. The presentation will examine how traditional rosemaling brushwork can be used in contemporary botanical design, allowing viewers to see newer interpretations of plant forms while learning how established techniques continue to evolve.
The designs will draw inspiration from Trout Lily, Rowan Berry, Lady’s Slipper, Blue Flag Iris, Wild Rose, Coral Root, Arrowhead, Pipsissewa, Marsh Marigold and Maple Leaf.
According to the event information, the plants are not presented simply as subjects to copy. Instead, the webinar will look at how traditional painting practices can be adapted for contemporary botanical art. That focus is intended to give participants a closer view of the relationship between historic craft methods and modern design.
Botanical art and plant classification
The program will also connect the art demonstration with the history of plant classification. The discussion will reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl.
Dahl’s connection to the topic continues in plant terminology: his name remains part of the word dahlia. The link brings the history of scientific classification into the webinar’s broader discussion of plant-centered artwork.
Vesterheim has not listed a separate registration deadline in the supplied event information. Residents who want to attend should register before the program begins so they can receive the Zoom details in advance.
Although the program is promoted for Decorah residents, the online format also allows people outside the area to participate. For local viewers, the virtual event offers an opportunity to study rosemaling, botanical art and plant history without leaving home.