Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the North American debut of Trolls: A Field Study. 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 November 15 through February 17. Six of the trolls will also be honored guests at the Arboretum’s Winter Lights show from November 15 through January 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.