Decorah residents will have an opportunity to explore Norwegian-American rosemaling from home this fall when Vesterheim hosts a free online Cultural Connections webinar on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
The one-hour program is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Central time. 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, while people outside the area may also be able to participate through the virtual format.
What the online program will cover
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 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
According to the event information, the plants will be more than subjects for the demonstration. 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.
Rosemaling presentation also includes plant science
Vesterheim’s webinar will include a scientific-history component focused on the history of plant classification. The presentation will 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.” The 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 viewers in Decorah, the virtual format provides a way to learn about rosemaling, botanical design and plant history without leaving home while participating in a program connected to Vesterheim’s cultural offerings.