Decorah residents will have a chance to explore 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 Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Because the presentation will be held online, 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 participate through the virtual 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 evolve.
The featured designs will be based 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
The plants will serve as more than painting subjects. Event information says 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 will include plant science
Vesterheim’s presentation will also add a scientific-history component to the art demonstration. The webinar will discuss the history of plant classification and reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl, linking 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 provides another connection between scientific history and the plants represented through rosemaling.
Registration is required
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 virtual program offers a way to learn about rosemaling, botanical design and plant history without leaving home while taking part in a program connected to Vesterheim’s cultural offerings.