Decorah residents interested in Norwegian-American art will be able to watch a free Vesterheim rosemaling demonstration from home on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The online Cultural Connections program will run from 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time and is designed for participants who want to explore traditional craft techniques alongside contemporary botanical art.
Advance registration is required for the webinar. While there is no charge to attend, participants must complete Vesterheim’s registration process before the program to receive the Zoom link and other connection information. Because the event is virtual, people in Decorah can participate without traveling to Vesterheim or another venue.
Ten boreal plants will shape the designs
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 original rosemaling designs inspired by plants from the boreal ecosystem. The program will look at how the form and character of each plant can influence decorative painting.
The plants featured in the demonstration are:
- Trout Lily
- Rowan Berry
- Lady’s Slipper
- Blue Flag Iris
- Wild Rose
- Coral Root
- Arrowhead
- Pipsissewa
- Marsh Marigold
- Maple Leaf
Rather than treating the plants only as subjects to copy, the demonstration will show how traditional rosemaling brushwork can be adapted for contemporary botanical design. That approach connects established painting methods with newer interpretations of plant forms.
Program connects art with plant history
Vesterheim’s presentation will extend beyond the painting demonstration with a brief discussion of botanical art and the history of plant classification. The session will include references to Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice Anders Dahl.
Dahl’s name remains part of the word “dahlia,” creating 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.
Rosemaling is a decorative painting tradition associated with Norwegian-American art. The October 4 session is intended for people interested in modern botanical art, established rosemaling techniques and the continuing development of traditional craft practices through contemporary art.
The webinar is open to people outside Decorah as well, giving local participants an opportunity to connect with a broader audience through Vesterheim’s Cultural Connections program. Anyone planning to attend should register before the session begins, since registration is necessary to receive the Zoom information.