Danish artist Thomas Dambo has built giant troll sculptures all over the world. He makes them entirely out of reclaimed materials and hides them in natural spaces.
Iowa is now home to four trolls, as part of Dambo's "Trolls of America" dream to have at least one troll in all 50 states. On this episode, we talk with Thomas about he came to be a world-famous trash artist.
Then, we hear from the Clinton, Iowa residents who convinced Dambo's team to install wooden trolls in what was once considered the lumber capital of the world, as well as from some of the volunteers and builders who helped construct the trolls named Helmut, Marvin and Warren around the city.
A fourth creature named Fjord Ferryman was also unveiled in southwest Iowa at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn.
This show was originally produced April 28, 2026.
Guests:
- Thomas Dambo, Danish artist
- Ari Lewerenz, board president, Sawmill Museum
- Andy Green, executive director, Sawmill Museum
- Marvin Thompson, volunteer
- Jim Campbell, volunteer
- Raven, Dambo team member
