Art & Marketing

What does it take to bring the world’s largest troll installation to life? A whole community—plus a little marketing magic!

In June 2024, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota became home to international recycle artist Thomas Dambo‘s biggest troll installation— featuring his tallest troll in the world! Over six weeks, we needed to fill nearly 400 volunteer slots, promote his public artist talk, and capture media attention.

My role? Making sure the world knew about it.

Thanks to an incredible community effort, this project gained national media coverage in The Washington Post, Star Tribune, USA Today, and more.

Public art like this doesn’t just attract visitors from around the world —it strengthens our community, and gives those of us who live here a unique public art installation to experience year-round.

That’s the true magic of art.

Learn all about it on the Project 412 website here.

I am a curious creator and proven promoter of artsy projects that take us off the beaten path.

Aside from being a “Strange” artist, I have had the opportunity to work in the field of marketing for the past twenty + years. During that time, I have provided project management, marketing services, and content for printed marketing materials, social media, and websites.

My own creative projects include:

articles and artwork published in Somerset Studio, Uppercase Magazine, Somerset Studio Gallery, Somerset Apprentice, Area Woman, Minnesota Women’s Press, and more
collage art books self-published and available on Amazon.com
numerous original mixed media collages and assemblages

I have completed the Springboard for the Arts “Work of Art – Artist Intensive” training and am “Art-Train” certified.

Check out the details on my marketing web site here.

Kudos

Thank you for such a wonderful show. Your work was perfect for our live Wicked Plant exhibit, and we are so appreciative that you made custom pieces to complement our display. Our guests absolutely loved your work. We hope you consider showing with us again in the future!

Tamie Sawaged – Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, NE

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I was all over the board with my goals and dreams. Carmen helped me discover what I truly enjoy in my work and where I want to be headed. We defined my goals and set up a plan to create inspirational art to be licensed on gift products. Since then, I have signed on with an art licensing agent. I am happily working away on art for inspirational gift lines. I feel this is my calling as a creative professional. Thank you, Carmen for steering me in the direction I wanted to be headed but couldn’t realize it at the time.

Megan Hagel – Megan Hagel Creative

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Creating a website can be confusing. Carmen provided a “big picture” overview to starting a site that works in today’s online world. She walked me through the process including domain name registration, hosting providers, e-commerce options, email service providers and more. Professional and easy to understand, just one session with Carmen gave me the confidence to know I am on the right path to success. Thank you, Carmen!

Jennifer Long, Doll and Quilt Pattern Designer – Bee Sew Inspired

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I highly recommend Carmen for your website and social media needs as she is fast, organized, efficient and so easy to work with. Carmen has most recently helped us to respond to industry-wide changes required due to COVID-19. She was able to tweak our website and Facebook/Instagram pages to allow quick and easy access to our takeout menu for customers to easily order their favorites using their cellphone on the go or from the comfort of their own home. Having owned a small business for over 20 years, long before the arrival of social media and the need for a web presence, I can say without a doubt that since we had Carmen set us up with our website and social media accounts a few years back that she has most definitely helped our business grow.

Kari Roberts, Former Owner – Gathering Grounds

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Because each business is different, its marketing approach needs to be different as well. Carmen understands this and is able to find and reach your ideal audience using both traditional and social media marketing tactics. She is knowledgeable and professional, yet personable. I would, without reservation, recommend Carmen’s work to others. I also have many pieces of her creative artwork, which regularly receive compliments!

Sandra Waldon, Marketing Officer/Business Banker – United Community Bank