Decorah residents can take part from home in a free Vesterheim art program that brings together Norwegian-American rosemaling, botanical design and the plant life of the boreal ecosystem. The live Cultural Connections webinar is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The one-hour program will be held on Zoom, meaning participants will not need to travel to Vesterheim or another venue. Although the webinar is available to people outside Decorah as well, everyone who plans to attend must register in advance.
Artist Tara will demonstrate 10 plant-inspired designs
Artist Tara will present 10 original rosemaling designs inspired by plants from the boreal ecosystem. During the demonstration, viewers will be able to follow how traditional brushwork can be adapted to reflect the distinctive form and character of each plant while remaining connected to established rosemaling techniques.
The featured plants are:
- Trout Lily
- Rowan Berry
- Lady’s Slipper
- Blue Flag Iris
- Wild Rose
- Coral Root
- Arrowhead
- Pipsissewa
- Marsh Marigold
- Maple Leaf
Vesterheim says the session is intended for people interested in modern botanical art, traditional craft techniques and the established rosemaling tradition. The presentation will explore how the shapes and characteristics of plants can influence contemporary decorative painting.
Registration is required for the free Zoom event
There is no charge to attend, but participants must complete Vesterheim’s registration process before the program. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and other connection information, with access details expected to arrive before the October 4 session.
The online format allows Decorah participants to watch from home while also opening the program to attendees elsewhere. Vesterheim’s event information directs participants to the museum’s broader schedule of Cultural Connections programs.
Webinar connects art with plant-classification history
The program will include more than a painting demonstration. Vesterheim plans to briefly connect contemporary botanical art with the history of plant classification, including background on Carl Linnaeus and his apprentice Anders Dahl.
Dahl’s name remains part of the word “dahlia,” providing a historical link between the webinar’s plant-focused subject matter and the development of plant classification. The combination of rosemaling, botanical design and Norwegian-American arts may appeal to people interested in how traditional craft practices continue to develop in contemporary art.
For Decorah residents who want to attend, advance registration is the next step for receiving the Zoom information.