Decorah residents will be able to explore Norwegian-American rosemaling from home this fall through a free online program hosted by Vesterheim. The Cultural Connections webinar is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time.
Because the presentation is virtual, participants will not need to travel to Vesterheim or another event venue. The program is promoted for Decorah residents, while people outside the area may also be able to participate through the online format.
What the Vesterheim webinar will cover
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 rosemaling designs inspired by plants found in the boreal ecosystem. The one-hour presentation will connect Norwegian-American brushwork with contemporary botanical art and examine how established painting techniques continue to develop.
The featured plant-inspired designs are:
- 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 painting subjects. Event information says the webinar will examine the relationship between historic craft methods and modern design, inviting participants to consider how traditional painting practices can be adapted for contemporary botanical artwork.
Art demonstration will include plant science
Vesterheim’s session will also connect the art demonstration with the history of plant classification. The discussion will reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl, adding a scientific-history element to the presentation’s focus on plant-centered art.
Dahl’s influence is reflected in plant terminology: His name is part of the word “dahlia.” That connection provides another link between the development of scientific classification and the plants represented through rosemaling.
Registration is required
People planning to attend must register in advance to receive the Zoom meeting link and other connection information. The event details do not identify a separate registration deadline, so prospective participants should complete registration before the program begins.
The online format gives local viewers an opportunity to study rosemaling, botanical design and plant history from home while taking part in a program connected to Vesterheim’s cultural offerings.