Decorah residents will be able to explore Norwegian-American rosemaling from home this fall through a free online webinar hosted by Vesterheim. The one-hour Cultural Connections program 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, while the virtual format may also allow people outside the area to participate.
Ten plant-inspired designs will be demonstrated
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 designs will draw on Trout Lily, Rowan Berry, Lady’s Slipper, Blue Flag Iris, Wild Rose, Coral Root, Arrowhead, Pipsissewa, Marsh Marigold and Maple Leaf.
Those plants will be more than subjects for the demonstration. 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.
Webinar also connects art with plant science
The program will include a scientific-history component focused on the development of plant classification. It will reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl, linking scientific classification with plant-centered artwork.
Dahl’s influence also appears in plant terminology: His name is part of the word “dahlia.” That connection offers another link between scientific history and the plants represented through rosemaling.
Registration is required for the Zoom link
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 online format provides 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.