2023
Philadelphia Dumpster Divers
Perkins Center for the Arts, Collingswood: Loft Gallery: Philadelphia Dumpster Divers Show: Jan 4-Feb 24, 2023 Artist reception: Saturday, Jan 14 (5-8pm)
2022
Celebrating 30 years!!!
April 8 – August 21
Dupree Gallery
703 S 6th St
Philadelphia, PA, PA 19147
Special 30th Anniversary group show from Philadelphia’s Dumpster Diver art collective, featuring: Alden Cole, Ann Keech, Betsy Alexander, Burnell Yow!, Bruce Gast, Carol Cole, Charmaine Caire, Charna Eisner, Dan Enright, Diane Keller, Ellen Benson, Eve Hoyt, Felise Luchansky, George Felice, Gretchen Altabef, I. George Bilyk, James Dupree, Jim Ulrich, John Jonik, Joanne Hoffman, Joel Spivak, Len Davidson, Linda Lou Horn, Neil Benson, Sally Willowbee, Susan Richards, Ted Warchal, Leo Sewell, Susan Moloney, Ellen Sall and Lola Buck (guest artist).
2021
Alchemy Illuminated
The Art of Crafting From Trash
Nov 5 – Dec 19
Neon Museum of Philadelphia
1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Featuring the work of Dumpster Divers: Betsy Alexander, Harry Anderson, Ellen Benson, Neil Benson, I. George Bilyk, Charmaine Caire, Alden W. Cole, Carol Cole, Len Davidson, James Dupree, Charna Eisner, George Felice, Bruce Gast, Joanne Hoffman, Eve Hoyt, Hugo Hsu, John Jonik, Ann Keech, Diane Keller, Smokie Kittner, Christine Nagata, Taji Nahl, Susan Richards, Leo Sewell, Simone Spicer, Joel Spivak, Jim Ulrich, Ted Warchal, Sally Lilychild Willowbee & Burnell Yow!
A a very special group show from Philadelphia’s Dumpster Diver art collective. Alchemy Illuminated is part of Philly’s annual CraftMONTH, in which CraftNOW showcases the city’s craft and making scene through a series of events surrounding the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show. Formed 29 years ago, the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers are a found object art collective. Join us for this exciting exhibit of assemblage at its finest, with artist appearances and events throughout the show.
2018
Re-Crafted – 2018 Group Show
Found-Object Art of the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers
Oct 26 – Dec 29, 2018
Dupree Gallery
703 S 6th Street, Philadelphia PA 19147
The Philadelphia Dumpster Divers partnered with almost two dozen area museums, galleries and fine craft organizations to celebrate our city’s innovative craft culture, under the auspices of CraftNOW Philadelphia.
The show includes the work of Dumpster Divers: Alden Cole, Alice Hyvonen, Ann Keech, Betsy Alexander, Bruce Gast, Burnell Yow!, Carol Cole, Charmaine Caire, Dan Enright, Diane Keller, Ellen Benson, Ellen Sall, Eva Preston, I. George Bilyk, James Dupree, Taji Nahl, Jim Ulrich, Joanne Hoffman, Joel Spivak, John Jonik, Toni Nash, Kim Alsbrooks, Simone Spicer, Len Davidson, Leo Sewell, Neil Benson, Eve Hoyt, Sally Willowbee, Susan Richards, Ted Warchal, Tim Barton & Vance Lehmkuhl.
2017
Dumpster Diversions – 2017 Group Show
Celebrating 25 years of found-object art by the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers
Oct 6th – Nov 4, 2017
Pop-up on Passyunk featuring windows filled with portraits of 26 longtime Divers
1548 E Passyunk (at Tasker), Philadelphia PA 19147
The window portraits will be up every day through October 28, and will be lit from 4 pm – 1:30 am.
The show includes the work of Dumpster Divers: Betsy Alexander, Kim Alsbrooks, Gretchen Altabef, Harry Anderson, Sara Benowitz, Ellen Benson, Neil Benson, I. George Bilyk, Charmaine Caire, Dave Christopher, Randall Cleaver, Alden Cole, Carol Cole, cdavid Cottrill, Randy Dalton, Len Davidson, James Dupree, Charna Eisner, Dan Enright, George Felice, Bruce Gast, Joanne Hoffman, Linda Lou Horn, Hugo Hsu, John Jonik, Ann Keech, Diane Keller, Smokie Kittner, John Lindsay, Leslie Stuart Matthews, Kate Mellina, Susan Moloney, Taji Nahl, Toni Nash, Eva Preston, Dr. Photon, Susan Richards, Ellen Sall, Leo Sewell, Simone Spicer, Joel Spivak, Jim Ulrich, Ted Warchal, Sally Willowbee, Burnell Yow! and Isaiah Zagar.
From Trashstream to Mainstream – 2017 Group Show
Celebrating 25 years of the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers
March 5 – April 29, 2017
Pebble Hill Gallery
320 Edison-Furlong Rd, Doylestown PA 18901
215-990-9542
Featured the work of Dumpster Divers: Joel Spivak, Diane Keller, Dan Enright, Simone Spicer, Alden Cole, Gretchen Altabef, Sally Willowbee, Sara Benowitz, Smokie Kittner, Harry Anderson, Bruce Gast, Joanne Hoffman, Susan Richards, Hugo Hsu, Carol Cole, Neil Benson, Ted Warchal, Kim Alsbrooks, Charna Eisner, John Jonik & Burnell Yow!
2016
‘Mixed Media’ Art of the Dumpster Divers – 2016 Group Show
August 11 – 28, 2016
Media Arts Council
609 W State St, Media PA 19063
Featuring the work of Dumpster Divers: Betsy Alexander, Joel Spivak, Diane Keller, Joanne Hoffman, Dan Enright, Jim Ulrich, Sally Willowbee, Sara Benowitz, Kim Alsbrooks, Carol Cole, Susan Richards, Eva Preston, Ann Keech, Alden Cole, Taji Nahl, Gretchen Altabef, Neil Benson, Burnell Yow!, Ted Warchal & I. George Bilyk.
Philly VOTE
June 13 – July 29, 2016
2nd & 4th Floors, City Hall
Broad & Market Sts, Philadelphia, PA 19107
The Dumpster Divers were invited by the Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy participate in Philly VOTE, a nonpartisan exhibit of works that encourage voting. These artworks were created by community arts organizations and schools throughout Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.
Participating Divers:
Gretchen Altabef, Sara Benowitz, Ellen Benson, Neil Benson, Dave Christopher, Alden Cole, Charna Eisner, Dan Enright, John Jonik, Ann Keech, Susan Moloney, Taji Nahl, Eva Preston, Susan Richards, Jim Ulrich, Sally Willowbee.
2015
James Dupree Gallery presents If Walls Could Talk
December 20, 2015 – January 31, 2016
Dupree Gallery
703 South 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Featuring the work of Ellen Benson!
Participating Divers:
Lion Studio, John Jonik, Ann Keech, Toni Nash, Susan Moloney, Ellen Sall, Neil Benson, Randy Dalton, Hugo Hsu, James Dupree, Joanne Hoffman, Sara Benowitz, Susan Richards, Burnell Yow!, Gretchen Altabef, Jim Ulrich, Betsy Alexander, Sally Willowbee, Len Davidson, Taji Nahl, Carol Cole, George Felice, Alden Cole, Smokie Kittner, Joel Spivak, Harry Anderson, Diane Keller, Eva Preston, Charmaine Caire, I. George Bilyk, Charna Eisner, Linda Lou Horn, CW Lewis, Larry Denenberg
Special thanks to James Dupree for hosting and Eva Preston for currating the show.
Finders Keepers
February 4 – March 27, 2015
The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank 16 W Market St, West Chester, PA 19380
Artist Reception:
Friday February 13, 5:00 – 8:30 PM
Rediscovered, resused, reinvented, repurposed, eclectic and collectable. Just a few of the many words that desrcibe the unique work in this exhibit.. Currated by Art Trust Board Member, John Baker, this show features the work of Dumpster Divers Linda Lou Horn, Jim Ulrich, Susan Moloney, Ellen Benson, Dan Enright, Carol Cole, Burnell Yow!, John Lindsay, Eva Preston & Neil Benson.
Upcycling, The Art of the Dumpster Divers
January 10 – February 22, 2015
Goggleworks, Cohen Gallery East
201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601
Who are The Dumpster Divers of Philadelphia? They are a group of over 40 found object artists, meeting monthly to socialize with fellow art eccentrics, share trash-picked finds, art-making, stories, field trip and flea market news and exhibit announcements
This major group exhibition will show how found objects inspire artists to create figures, masks, political statements, abstract assemblages, still life, works of art contained in boxes, and art used for story-telling or function. Their artwork is as diverse as the group and as the materials used. All of it is engaging, often playful, sometimes political, ironic and definitely delightful.
Participating Diver’s:
Betsy Alexander, Gretchen Altabef, Sara Benowitz, Neil Benson, Alden Cole, Carol Cole, Randy Dalton, James Dupree, Dan Enright, Hugo Hsu, John Jonik, Ann Keech, Diane Keller, Leslie Matthews, Susan Moloney, Taji R Nahl, Eva Preston, Susan Richards, Leo Sewell, Ellen Sall, Joel Spivak, Jim Ulrich, Sally Willowbee & Burnell YOW
Special thanks to Ann Keech for organizing this event.
2014
Lost & Found – 2014 Group Show
October 27 – December 12, 2014
For over 20 years, the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers – a group of about 40 Philadelphia-area based artists, collectors and friends – have been working with found objects and recycled materials to create extensive works and group efforts.
Dumpster Divers RECLAIM Show at Destination Frankford Pop-Up Gallery
After years of neglect, the 4600 block of Paul Street in Frankford is beginning a new life. Destination Frankford is transforming a formerly vacant storefront into an energetic art venue. The temporary pop-up art gallery will accelerate the process of neighborhood revitalization in Frankford.
OPENING RECEPTION for RECLAIM & BLOCK PARTY
Saturday, April 19 | 2:00 – 5:00pm
@ the corner of Frankford Avenue and Paul Street
MFL to Margaret-Orthodox
Three separate exhibitions will each focus on one part of the theme:
RECLAIM | REDISCOVER | REANIMATE
RECLAIM will feature members of Philadelphia’s
Dumpster Divers. Saturdays from April 19 to May 17, 2014, the Dumpster Divers will RECLAIM discarded materials and transform them into new art forms. Seventeen artists who see the possibilities in trash and other under-utilized resources will bring a new awareness to the concept of “upcycling “to Frankford.
Participating Dumpster Divers include:
Sara Benowitz, Ellen Benson, Neil Benson, Carol Cole, Randy Dalton, Dan Enright, Joanne Hoffman, Linda Lou Horn, Ann Keech, Susan Moloney, Eva Preston, Susan Richards, Ellen Sall, Joel Spivak, Jim Ulrich, Sally Willowbee, Burnell Yow!
Destination Frankford is an arts-based initiative using MARKETING and CREATIVE PLACEMAKING to enhance and expand the resources of the Frankford’s growing ARTS, ARTISANAL INDUSTRY, and CREATIVE BUSINESS economy.
Destination Frankford is a project of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Local partners include the Frankford Community Development Corporation, Globe Development Group, and Philadelphia Sculptors.
Destination Frankford Supported By Art Place Destination Frankford is supported by a grant from ArtPlace America, a collaboration of leading national and regional foundations, banks and federal agencies accelerating creative placemaking across the US.
Archives Alchemy – The Art of the Dumpster Divers
January 10 to April 24, 2014
National Archives at Philadelphia
900 Market St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
(The entrance is actually on the 900 block of Chestnut St, look for the sign)
Opening Reception January 10th from 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Featuring artwork from Dumpster Divers:
Harry Anderson, Alden Cole, Betsy Alexander, Gretchen Altabef, Sara Benowitz, Ellen Benson, Carol Cole, cdavid HallCottlril, Dan Enright, George Felice, Bruce Gast, Carey Hedlund, Joanne Hoffman, Linda Lou Horn, Ann Keech, Smokie Kittner, Susan Moloney, Toni Nash, Neil Benson, Eva Preston, Susan Richards, Kate Mellina, Joel Spivak, Jim Ulrich, Sally Willowbee & Burnell Yow!
View photographs of the exhibition.
2013
Upcycling Trash to Treasure
January 5 – February 10, 2013
Posted on January 5, 2013 by Common Consensus
Main Line Unitarian Church, Fireside Gallery
816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 5th from 4 – 7 pm
Over 20 Dumpster Divers are exhibiting in this delightful and inspiring exhibit.
2012
The Dumpster Divers Come to Ambler Popups
May – August 2012
Posted on May 1, 2012 by Common Consensus
Ambler Flower Shop & empty storefront windows Butler Avenue & Main Streets, Ambler PA 19002
Featured artwork by: Gretchen Altabef, Sara Benowitz, Jose Cedillos, Alden Cole, Randy Dalton, Dan Enright, George Felice, Bruce Gast, Hugo Hsu, Ann Keech, Susan Moloney, Eva Preston, Joel Spivak, & Jim Ulrich.
Ambler PA Gazette article: Dumpster Divers Turn Trash into Treasure in Ambler Storefront
2011
Find: Inspire: Create Show at the Episcopal Academy
September 7 – 28, 2011
The Gallery at the Crawford Campus Center
Episcopal Academy, Newtown Square, PA
Featuring Divers: Carol Cole, Ellen Benson, Linda Lou Horn, Ann Keech, John Lindsey, Leslie Matthews and Leo Sewell.
The Eyes Have It Show at Salon Des Amis Gallery
July 31 – Sept 17, 2011
Salon Des Amis Gallery
2321 Yellow Springs Rd, Malvern, PA 19355
Featuring Dumpster Divers: Betsy Alexander, Alden Cole, Hugo Hsu, Ann Keech, Jim Ulrich and Burnell Yow!
2010
Dumpster Divers of Philadelphia Show at the Pebble Hill Art Gallery
November 28, 2010 – January 2, 2011
Posted on November 28, 2010 by Common Consensus
Pebble Hill Art Gallery
320 Edison-Furlong Rd at Woodcrest Lane, Doylestown, PA 18901
Divers represented: Joel Spivak, Alden Cole, Ann Keech, Burnell Yow!, Randy Dalton, Linda Lou Horn, Ellen Sall, George Bilyk, Eva Preston, Bruce Gast, Hugo Hsu and Gretchen Altabef
Going Green: The Art Work of the Dumpster Divers Show at The Noyes Museum of Art
September 1 – 27, 2010
The Noyes Museum of Art
5 South Second Street, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Trashy Women presented by Sally Willowbee: Sept 2nd – From plastic bags to heavy metal, women who make art from recycled materials
Green Day Reception: Sept 19th from 12 – 4pm with program by Divers Joel Spivak, Eva Preston, and Lenny Davidson starting at 1 pm.
Featuring Divers: Ellen Benson, Alden Cole, Carol Cole, Len Davidson, Linda Lou Horn, Ann Keech, Jackie Stack Lagakos, Eva Preston, Joel Spivak, Sally Willowbee and Burnell Yow!
Building Show at Salon Des Amis Gallery
August 15 – October 10, 2010
Salon Des Amis Gallery
2321 Yellow Springs Rd, Malvern, PA 19355
Gala Reception: Aug. 15th from 2 – 6 pm.
Featuring Divers: Betsy Alexander, Linda Horn, Hugo Hsu, Ann Keech, John Lindsay, Leslie Matthews and Burnell Yow!
2009
The Games We Played: Remade at the Burlington County Art Center
June 9 – July 8, 2009
Burlington County Annex Art Gallery – Smithville Mansion
Smithville Road, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
June 9 – July 8, 2009
Opening Reception: June 9, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Exploring Recycling through Art (Clue: it’s the Dumpster Divers) in the Smithville Mansion’s Bowling Alley and Billiard Room
Philadelphia Dumpster Divers at Goggleworks Center for the Arts
April 2 – June 11, 2009
Goggleworks Center for the Arts – Outsider Folk Art Gallery
201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601-4040
Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
First Thursday Reception: 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Discussion with the Dumpster Divers to be held Second Sunday, May 10, 2009
Found Object Art, The Trashy Women and Dumpster Divas: A Little on the Trashy Side at the Cecil County Arts Center
March 27 – April 24, 2009
Cecil County Arts Center
135 East Main Street, Elkton, MD.
Opening Reception – Friday, March 27, 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
Recycling is aMAZEing at the Please Touch Museum
March 01 – April 30, 2009
Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia PA 19131
Mon, Wed, Fri: 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
Sculpture from Styrofoam packing pieces created with visitors and Dumpster Diver artists in residence. Completed recycled Styrofoam sculpture maze on exhibit for the month of April.
2006
25 by 25 at the Art on the Avenue Gallery
November 10 – 27, 2006
Art on the Avenue Gallery
3808 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia PA
Tue – Sat 12 – 7 pm
Opening Reception: November 10th, 6 – 10 pm
What do you get when you take 25 selected Philadelphia Dumpster Divers, give each of them the same materials (25+ items) to work with and send them off for a few months to their respective creative lairs to create an artwork? And the only rule is that “There are no rules, only materials.”
2004
Trash Transformation: Art Alchemy at the Home & Planet
October 1 – November 14, 2004
Home & Planet Gallery
25 East Third St, Bethlehem, PA
Opening Reception: October 1st, 7 – 10 pm
Trash Transformation – Art Alchemy,” an exhibit by Philadelphia’s Dumpster Divers, offers a high-style alternative for America’s throw-away culture. It is a vision that includes artistic craft, innovation and garbage. Visitors should prepare to be amazed.
Dumpster Divers on South Sreet at the South Street Renaissance Gallery
September 5 – September 26, 2004
South Street Renaissance Gallery
427 South St. 2nd Floor, Philadelphia PA
This art collective finds all its materials in one place: the garbage. But their beautiful creations are far from trashy–they’re a commentary on the wastefulness of our society.
Saving Philadelphia: The Art of the Dumpster Divers at the Sedgwick Cultural Center
January 16 – March 14, 2004
Sedgwick Cultural Center
7137 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA
Opening Reception: Jan. 16th, 5 – 9 pm
Leo Sewell demonstration: January 22 at 3:30 pm
Len Davidson led panel discussion: January 25th, 1 – 5 pm
Isaiah Zagar slide presentation and Meet the Artist Day: February 15th, at 2 pm
Philly’s Dumpster Divers have had a formidable ride since their 1992 inception. They’ve taken Dumpster Diving beyond the anarchist, sociopolitical rhetoric of radical nonconsumption into the pragmatic act of creation.