Lulu Hyggelig: California's First Permanent Thomas Dambo Troll
The California Nature Art Museum is pleased to present Thomas Dambo’s first permanent troll in California. Thomas Dambo is an internationally renowned Danish artist and recycling activist who is celebrated for his imaginative and colossal sculptures made from recycled materials. Specializing in creating enchanting wooden trolls, Thomas Dambo breathes new life into discarded resources, showcasing the boundless potential hidden within our world’s trash cans.
Lulu Hyggelig, Thomas Dambo, 2025
Photo Courtesy George Rose
Thanks to several generous supporters, we’ve already raised an impressive $186,000. But we still need $114,000 more to make our troll a reality. Your contribution will directly support:
A Labor of Love: Help cover the expenses for Thomas Dambo and his crew to come to Solvang in January 2025. Our troll will be made with locally sourced and donated recycled materials such as wooden pallets, old wooden floorboards, and fallen trees.
Community Engagement: Having a Thomas Dambo troll comes with volunteer opportunities to help build it. The local people can participate in helping construct the giant on-site and bring everyone together one board at a time, and through public workshops and events!
Sharing Culture: Having a Thomas Dambo Troll will connect our museum to the Danish culture right here in Solvang, the Danish Capital of America. It will also put Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley on the Trollmap for the thousands of global troll hunters that adventure out to find Thomas Dambo’s trolls.
By donating today, you’ll become part of this enchanting project, leaving a legacy of joy and recycled art. Every dollar brings us one step closer to welcoming Thomas Dambo and his crew to Solvang.
Troll sponsors will be acknowledged on our donor board, website, press releases, social media and more. Whether you donate $50, $250, or more, your generosity will make a lasting impact. Together, we can turn our trash into a local treasure.
Media Professionals: please find the latest press release linked here: PRESS RELEASE - OCT ‘24 PDF
Learn more about Thomas Dambo
Thomasdambo.com
CBS Sunday Morning: Dambo’s Magical Troll Art
Danish Originals Interview: S5E2 Thomas Dambo
Instagram: @thomasdambo
Facebook: Facebook.com/thomasdambos
youtube.com/thomasdambo
Donate now and be part of the story!
MUSEUM CLOSED: Sunday, January 19th - Saturday, February 1st
for construction of the Thomas Dambo troll exhibition.
Bruun Idun, Thomas Dambo, 2023
Sponsors List
$50,000+
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation
Schiele Family Foundation
$20,000+
Peter and Becky Adams
$10,000+
Judy Stapelmann
Visit the Santa Ynez Valley
Jeffrey Winter & Barbara Cox-Winter
$5,000+
Allan Hancock College
$1,000+
CHOMP Burgers - Aaron Petersen
Margaret Weiss and Sterling Collett
Belinda and Robert Hart
Scan Design Foundation
Marion Lennberg
Richard and Janice Nagler
Jane and George Roach
The Siemsen Family
$250+
-In Memory Of Denise Chavoya-
Allen Construction
Kelli Anderson
Stephanie Austin and Scott Thaler
Bonnie Bisoglio
Lynne and Marvin Carlton
Stacey and Eric Demangate
First Street Leather
Valerie Fred
Wendy Hannigan
-In Memory of Preben & Tom Havemose-
Bill & Norma Hollowell
Gay and Mark Infanti
Bob and Linda Leite
Paul Matthies
National Foundation for Danish America
Stephanie Nelson
Elinor Plumer
Susan Plummer
George and Denise Rose
Anne Shaw
Diana Silveira
Kay Turbak
VASA Order of America
Candy Waldron
About the Artist
Thomas Dambo is a Danish artist and musician who envisions and builds epic recycled creations! With a master’s degree in design from Kolding Design School, he’s turned a childhood passion for building with wood into a full-blown mission to turn trash into treasure.
Originally from Odense, Denmark but now based in Copenhagen, Thomas has been scouring for discarded wood since he was just 5 years old. In 2014, he launched his now world-renown trolls project, and today he’s known as the world’s top recycled artist!Dambo has unique troll installations in 16 countries, including 52 trolls here in the States. His work is blend of whimsical creativity and activism, encouraging everyone to explore nature and see the magic in what others might throw away. Each sculpture has its own unique story and invites you on an adventure, viewing the world with a delightfully quirky perspective.
Dambo’s often mischievous trolls help bring people together while spreading the word about the importance of recycling and conservation. Now Solvang, the Danish Capital of America, will soon have its very own troll, who will live at the California Nature Art Museum, greeting visitors to Solvang every day. Join our campaign today to help Dambo and his team build a troll here at the museum in January 2025!