Decorah residents interested in Norwegian-American art will be able to explore rosemaling, botanical design and plant history from home during a free Vesterheim Cultural Connections webinar on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. The online program will run from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time.
The one-hour session is designed for viewers who want to see traditional Norwegian-American painting techniques applied to contemporary botanical art. Because the program will be held online, participants will not need to travel to Vesterheim or another event venue.
What the Vesterheim webinar will cover
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 rosemaling designs inspired by plants found in the boreal ecosystem. The presentation will show how traditional rosemaling brushwork can be used in newer botanical designs, while also examining how established painting techniques continue to evolve.
The featured plant-inspired designs will include:
- 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 models for viewers to copy. The webinar will focus on the relationship between historic craft methods and modern design, giving participants a chance to consider how traditional painting practices can be adapted for contemporary botanical artwork.
Art demonstration will connect to plant science
Vesterheim’s program will also connect the art demonstration with the history of plant classification. The discussion will reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl, bringing scientific history into the session’s broader examination of plant-centered art.
Dahl’s influence remains visible in plant terminology: his name is part of the word “dahlia.” That connection offers another link between the development of scientific classification and the plants represented through rosemaling.
Registration required for Zoom information
Decorah residents who plan to attend must register in advance to receive the Zoom meeting link and other connection information. The event details do not list a separate registration deadline, so prospective participants should complete registration before the program begins.
Although the webinar is promoted for Decorah residents, its online format also permits people outside the area to participate. For local viewers, the free virtual program offers a way to study rosemaling, botanical design and plant history without leaving home.