Decorah residents interested in Norwegian-American art can take part in a free Vesterheim webinar from home on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. The online Cultural Connections program will focus on rosemaling, a decorative painting tradition associated with Norwegian-American art.
The one-hour webinar is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time. Because the program will be held online, local participants will not need to travel to Vesterheim or another venue to watch the demonstration.
How to register for the webinar
Registration is required for the Zoom program. Although the webinar is free, attendees must complete Vesterheim’s registration process before the session. Registration is the next step for Decorah residents who want to receive the Zoom link and other connection information.
The program is promoted to Decorah residents, but its virtual format also allows people outside the area to participate. Local viewers will be able to connect with a broader audience through Vesterheim’s Cultural Connections program.
Ten plants will inspire the designs
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 original rosemaling designs inspired by plants from the boreal ecosystem. The presentation will feature the forms and character of the following plants:
- Trout Lily
- Rowan Berry
- Lady’s Slipper
- Blue Flag Iris
- Wild Rose
- Coral Root
- Arrowhead
- Pipsissewa
- Marsh Marigold
- Maple Leaf
The demonstration will show how traditional rosemaling brushwork can be adapted for contemporary botanical design. The plants will serve as more than subjects to copy; the session will connect established painting techniques with newer interpretations of plant forms.
Art demonstration also includes plant history
In addition to the painting demonstration, Vesterheim’s presentation will include a brief discussion of botanical art and the history of plant classification. The program will reference Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice, Anders Dahl.
Dahl’s name remains part of “dahlia,” providing a historical connection between the plant-focused artwork and the development of plant classification. By combining rosemaling, botanical design and Norwegian-American arts, the webinar will examine how plant history and traditional painting can inform one another.
The program is intended for people interested in modern botanical art, established rosemaling techniques and the continuing development of traditional craft practices through contemporary art. For Decorah residents planning to attend Oct. 4, completing Vesterheim’s registration process is how to obtain the Zoom information.