Famed Danish artist forest troll exhibit to make US debut at the NC Arboretum
ASHEVILLE - Peering through the wildflowers, white oaks and bonsais of the 434-acre North Carolina Arboretum, the botanical garden's black bears, wolves and foxes will be joined by a new group of creatures: Trolls.
Constructed by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, "Trolls: A Field Study by Thomas Dambo" will bring 12 life-size interactive wooden troll sculptures to the arboretum's trails and gardens in November.
It is the "most exciting exhibit" in North Carolina Arboretum history, Executive Director Drake Fowler said during the June 26 announcement at the gardens. Though Dambo's other exhibit "Trolls: Save the Humans" has toured cities across the United States, the field study exhibit will make its North American debut in Asheville. It's expected to draw visitors — some calling themselves "Troll Hunters" on social media — from across the country.
The trolls, described as "baby trolls" compared to the artist's previous exhibits, are made out of wood like branches, wooden pallets and twigs. While previous exhibits had trolls that stood as tall as 42 feet, the arboretum's will stand 7 feet to 9 feet tall, according to a June 26 news release.
While the exhibit is active, the folklore-inspired trolls will be studying the "small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina," according to the release.
Each is designed to have its own unique personality and the arboretum is planning educational programs and local artist features to coincide with the exhibit. Six trolls will be "honored guests" during the arboretum's annual Winter Lights show, which runs from from Nov. 15 to Jan. 4, 2026.
"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," Fowler said in the release.
Visitors will be able to obtain a "treasure map" to find the trolls, including their leader "Taks." Each is designed to have a unique personality to "reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human," the release said.
Six will be located along the arboretum's trails and six will be located in its gardens. The exhibit will run through Feb. 17, 2026.
"Trolls: A Field Study" was produced by the traveling exhibition company Imagine in collaboration with Dambo and is being presented by Explore Asheville, Buncombe County's Destination Management Organization. The exhibit made its world premiere on June 21 in the United Kingdom.
More: Blue Ridge Parkway Helene-related repairs: Mt. Mitchell access to be restored soon
More: Asheville hospitality workers endure shifting workforce after Tropical Storm Helene
Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com or message will_hofmann.01 on Signal.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Arboretum to bring famed giant forest trolls to Asheville
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