Decorah residents will be able to explore Norwegian-American rosemaling from home this fall through a free online program hosted by Vesterheim. The one-hour Cultural Connections webinar is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Central time Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Because the presentation will take place 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 join through the virtual format.
What the Vesterheim webinar will feature
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 rosemaling designs inspired by plants found in the boreal ecosystem. The presentation will connect Norwegian-American brushwork with contemporary botanical art and examine how established painting techniques continue to develop.
The plant-inspired designs featured in the presentation 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 subjects for the demonstration. Event information says the session will examine the relationship between historic craft methods and modern design, including how traditional painting practices can be adapted for contemporary botanical artwork.
Art, plants and scientific history
Vesterheim’s webinar will also include a scientific-history component. The presentation will discuss the history of plant classification and reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl, linking the development of scientific classification with plant-centered artwork.
Dahl’s influence also appears in plant terminology: His name is part of the word “dahlia.” That detail offers 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 viewers in Decorah, the virtual format 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.