Solvang’s newest resident truly is a trashy troll.

Danish artist and recycling activist Thomas Dambo is the man behind the treasured troll now residing at the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum).

Dambo crafted Solvang’s huge troll from recycled materials — old wooden pallets and wine barrels along with lumber deemed unusable because of flaws, all donated by local residents and businesses. Twigs rounded up from around the Santa Ynez Valley make up her hair.

“I’m the garbage artist. That’s what I preach, and that’s what I do,” Dambo said. “I think it’s really nice to say I’m the world’s best garbage artist.” 

“Basically, that’s hitting the nail on its head for me because we use garbage as a word for something negative,” he said, adding that his art aims to prove that what’s viewed as garbage can become something valuable.

Dambo’s newest troll, sitting in the museum’s front tower and overlooking Mission Drive, will mark California’s first permanent troll, and the first of more than 150 Dambo trolls to reside indoors, anywhere around the globe.

For a long time, Solvang museum representatives knew only that he referred to their troll as “she” and “her,” but Dambo recently revealed he has dubbed her Lulu Hyggelig.

“It’s a famous Danish word that nobody else has a word for what it means because it’s a special Danish feeling in Denmark. It means something like cozy, but then if you put a ‘u’ in front, it means scary,” he said.

Like any good parent, he can’t name a favorite among his troll creations. 

“I always seem to like the new ones. They look so cute before they grow up and start getting grumpy,” said Dambo, who often refers to his trolls as living beings.  

In addition to overseas locations, Dambo trolls now live in 18 states, with his goal intending to put one in each state in the coming years. He’s got six planned this year, including Solvang’s, with the others being in Alabama, North Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

Executive Director Stacey Otte-Demangate called the chance to have a Dambo troll “an incredible opportunity” for the museum, which is celebrating its 25th year in 2025. 

“We are so excited to be working with an internationally renowned artist, and the fact that he’s Danish — and, of course, Solvang is the Danish capital of America — is magical for us,” Otte-Demangate said. 

“It’s a way for our museum with our mission about the environment and sustainability to also tie into Danish culture. And then the other wonderful part is that Thomas’ is mission is also all about the sustainability and having a light footprint on the Earth.”

In addition to using recycled items from various donors, local volunteers have assisted during the building process.

“To see her come to life in the tower as such an incredible whimsical being is incredible,” Otte-Demangate said. 

The contract calls for the troll to remain for 10 years, but she could last longer, especially since she sits indoors. 

Formerly in Los Olivos, the museum relocated in 2013 to Solving, standing at the corner of Mission Drive and Fifth Street at the western entrance to the downtown. 

“It’s a wonderful way to start such an exciting landmark year for us,” she added.

Sponsors and donations have funded the troll, with the campaign reaching two-thirds of the way to the $300,000 goal. Donations of $250 or higher will land a sponsor a spot on the donor board. Donations can be given by clicking here.

Once complete, the new troll will be added to Dambo’s trail map, trollmap.com, where  people are encouraged to find his sculptures.

Following an artist’s talk Thursday night with Dambo and a members-only exhibition opening on Saturday, the Solvang troll will debut to the public on Sunday.

Admission to the museum at 1511-B Mission Drive costs $5 for adults and is free for those under age 17.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday plus 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The museum is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.