Dumpster Diva

Allison Pinkowski, founder and chief executive of Dumpster Diva, has a love for old things that have a story; she says “The rustier, the better!” She runs a web site, DumpsterDiva.net, as well as a store in Kansas City where she sells art and furniture that she has found and made into her own art. Pinkowski loves to use her creativity to repair items and make them usable again and her mission is to make the “trash” that she finds valuable again. Just because an item has lost value to someone else does not mean it has served it purpose completely yet. Pinkowski finds great pleasure in making old thinks usable again, as well as making them into one-of-a-kind pieces of art. What many people ask her is whether or not she really goes dumpster diving. She says that the dumpster diving is one of the best parts of her job, and that she finds it exciting to see what she can retrieve from her treasure hunt. Because of the dumpster diving, some people might find it disgusting to buy her art, but Pinkowski rejects this in a funny way by stating; “If you find something on this site that you'd like to take home, rest assured it will get a bath before it gets to you!” On Pinkowski’s website you can view some of her recent findings, as well as her own art. 

Here is one of Dumpster Diva's most recent pieces, a chandelier made out of old and discarded silverware. I have to agree with the artist and say that is certainly makes a fun statement! It is great if you want to have an extraordinary piece of art in your home. 

Check out Dumpster Diva's website and blog for more information and fun art! www.dumpsterdiva.net


/Melinda & Blair

Work cited:

Pinkowski, Allison. "Dumpster Diva." Dumpster Diva. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec 2010. <http://www.dumpsterdiva.net/the-diva.html>.