Decorah residents will be able to study Norwegian-American rosemaling from home this fall during a free online program hosted by Vesterheim. The Cultural Connections webinar is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
The virtual format means participants will not need to travel to Vesterheim or another event venue. The program is promoted for Decorah residents, although people outside the area may also be able to join because it will be held online.
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 while examining how established painting techniques continue to develop.
The featured designs will draw on a range of plant subjects:
- Trout Lily
- Rowan Berry
- Lady’s Slipper
- Blue Flag Iris
- Wild Rose
- Coral Root
- Arrowhead
- Pipsissewa
- Marsh Marigold
- Maple Leaf
According to the event information, the plants will serve as more than painting subjects. The session will explore the relationship between historic craft methods and modern design, including how traditional painting practices can be adapted for contemporary botanical artwork.
Art demonstration also includes plant science
Vesterheim’s presentation will add a scientific-history element to the art demonstration by discussing the history of plant classification. The program will reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl, connecting the development of scientific classification with the plant-centered artwork.
Dahl’s influence also appears in plant terminology: His name is part of the word “dahlia.” That detail offers another link between scientific history and the plants represented through rosemaling.
Registration required for Zoom access
Anyone 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.
For local viewers, the online event offers a way to learn about rosemaling, botanical design and plant history from home while participating in a program connected to Vesterheim’s cultural offerings.