Trolls: A Field Study by Thomas Dambo Coming to The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville

Asheville, NC – Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.  

All twelve of these unique and delightful explorers can be found in the Arboretum’s formal gardens and along its trails Nov. 15 through Feb. 17. Six of the trolls will also be honored guests at the Arboretum’s Winter Lights show from Nov. 15 through Jan. 4, where guests can encounter them among the dazzling display of lights that has become Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition. 

Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs. Each troll has a distinct personality, including their fearless leader, Taks. Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human. Visitors will be able to use a “treasure map” to track down the trolls and meet them face-to-face!  In the coming months, the Arboretum is excited to reveal even more about these multi-faceted visitors.  

“We are beyond thrilled to host Thomas Dambo’s Trolls: A Field Study with our partners at Explore Asheville this winter,” said Arboretum Executive Director Drake Fowler. “The North Carolina Arboretum’s gardens and trails are the perfect setting for the curious nature of these delightful and engaging sculptures. Thomas Dambo’s use of reclaimed wood resonates deeply, especially considering the changes to our landscape after Hurricane Helene. With these trolls, guests will discover a renewed sense of fun, exploration, play and adventure.” 

To further enhance and expand the experience of visiting the trolls, the Arboretum is planning educational programs and local artist features.  

Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, said, “We are proud to be the presenting sponsor bringing the U.S. premiere of this Thomas Dambo Trolls exhibit to Asheville and the Arboretum. This particular exhibition takes on deeper meaning for our area following the one-year milestone of Hurricane Helene — we hope regional residents as well as visitors from near and far are delighted by the whimsy and storytelling aspects of each troll. We look forward to the economic, emotional and environmental benefits for our community over the winter season.” 

Alongside the joy and wonder Thomas Dambo’s troll sculptures have inspired, they also embrace a sense of stewardship and connection to the natural world.  “I want to take trash and turn it into something that will open people’s eyes and minds,” Dambo says. “We shouldn’t throw the world out—then we’ll have a world with no mountains, no woods.”  

Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine, shared, “Imagine is delighted to partner with Thomas Dambo to bring his imaginative vision of Trolls: A Field Study to life. We’re excited to collaborate with The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville on this one-of-a-kind exhibition that offers visitors an enchanting outdoor experience. This exhibition continues our mission of creating unforgettable moments that entertain, educate, and inspire. We’re proud to share this journey with The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.” 

Trolls: A Field Study opens at The North Carolina Arboretum on Nov. 15 through Feb. 17. The twelve trolls will be visible in both the formal gardens and along the trails. Six of the trolls will also be honored guests at Winter Lights, from Nov. 15 through Jan.4. 

For more information, please visit ncarboretum.org. 

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WHAT: Trolls: A Field Study by Thomas Dambo 

WHERE: The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, North Carolina. 

WHEN: Days in the gardens and on the trails: Nov. 15 – Feb. 17. 

             Evenings in the gardens at Winter Lights: Nov. 15 – Jan. 4. 

About the artist Thomas Dambo  
Born in Odense, Denmark in 1979, Artist Thomas Dambo’s mission is to create art that inspires people to explore, have adventures in nature, and show that recycled goods can be turned into something beautiful. Before embarking on the path of building larger-than-life troll sculptures, Thomas led a multi-faceted life that allowed him to express his creativity via music,  

street art, and scenic design. After graduating from the Kolding Design School in Kolding, Denmark, with a master’s degree in interactive design, Thomas began his journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today. He currently lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

About the Trolls 
Thomas Dambo is best known for his colossal trolls that ‘live’ as permanent or semi-permanent installations in parks, greenspaces, industrial parks and in other site-specific locations around the world. Each folklore-inspired sculpture is imbued with expression and character and is built entirely from reclaimed materials. Driven by a mission to inspire people to explore our relationship with the planet, many of Thomas Dambo’s works have an associated folk tale written by Thomas Dambo himself that addresses the complex problem of our world in a fun and approachable way. Trolls: A Field Study is accompanied by a delightful book that captures the adventures from the Trolls’ perspective. This engaging tale shares the whimsical lessons that the twelve Trolls discovered about the little humans during their extraordinary field trip. 

Every year, Thomas Dambo’s sculptures inspire millions of people to get off the couch and reconnect with nature. He firmly believes that rekindling our bond with the natural world is essential for addressing the challenges humanity faces today. TROLLS: A Field Study is the second exhibition Thomas Dambo has created in collaboration with Imagine. The first, TROLLS: Save the Humans, has captivated visitors all over North America during its first year on tour.  

About Imagine 
Imagine (formerly known as Imagine Exhibitions) is a global leader in immersive storytelling and experiential design, specializing in the development of world-class exhibitions and attractions for museums, studios, IPs, brands, and leisure destinations worldwide. Through its four core services—Exhibitions, Studio, Retail, and Operations—Imagine created visitor experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire.  

Imagine’s Exhibitions division creates, tours, and operates award-winning traveling experiences like Harry Potter™: The Exhibition and Titanic: The Exhibition, captivating audiences and driving attendance worldwide. Its Studio plans, designs, and produces both traveling and permanent experiences, offering comprehensive creative services for clients seeking unique, story-driven experiences. The Retail division enhances guest engagement and drives revenue through bespoke product development, store design, and operations, while the Operations team provides extensive consulting, marketing, and operational support, ensuring the seamless and profitable management of visitor experiences across various venues.  

Imagine is currently producing, presenting or operating more than 40 unique experiences around the globe, spanning museums, science centers, zoos, botanical gardens, integrated resorts, and non-traditional venues. For more information, visit theimagineteam.com. 

About Asheville 

Asheville is where unrivaled natural beauty and bold creative expression meet. Tucked away in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, the city is steps away from some of the world’s most biodiverse forests and the tallest peaks in the East. For generations, Asheville has nurtured and inspired a compassionate community that’s deeply rooted and ever-evolving – just like the ancient French Broad River that runs through it. 

Photos associated with this release can be found at this link: https://ncarboretum.canto.com/b/VM2VP. 

All photos and artwork should be credited to Thomas Dambo. 

For Business Related Inquiries Including Hosting the Exhibition 

Debbie Donohue | +1.404.808.7578 | [email protected] 

Contacts: 

The North Carolina Arboretum 

Brian Postelle, Marketing and Communication Manager 

828-665-2492 ext. 204 

[email protected] 

Explore Asheville  

Cass Santander, Public Relations Manager 

(828) 258-6136 

[email protected]