Vesterheim’s next Cultural Connections program will explore how traditional rosemaling can be reshaped into contemporary botanical art. The free online webinar, “Cultural Connections: Contemporary Rosemaling,” is scheduled for October 4, 2026, from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time on Zoom.
During the program, Tara will present 10 original botanical designs inspired by plants from the boreal ecosystem. The featured subjects include Trout Lily, Rowan Berry, Lady’s Slipper, Blue Flag Iris, Wild Rose, Coral Root, Arrowhead, Pipsissewa, Marsh Marigold and Maple Leaf.
What participants will see
The session will include a demonstration of how traditional rosemaling brushstrokes can be reimagined to reflect the distinct forms and character of those plants. The program is positioned as an exploration of rosemaling as a contemporary art form rather than solely as a historical craft.
The presentation will also briefly connect contemporary botanical art with the history of plant classification. That background will include Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice Anders Dahl. The program notes that Dahl’s name continues in the word “dahlia.”
How to attend
The event will take place online through Zoom, allowing participants to join without traveling to a venue. Registration is required to receive the free Zoom link. Vesterheim’s event listing also directs attendees to its broader schedule of Cultural Connections programs.
For Decorah-area residents interested in Norwegian-American arts, traditional craft techniques or botanical design, the October program offers a focused virtual introduction to how rosemaling is being interpreted today.