Big trolls are coming to Dix Park, and the general public is invited to assist construct them :: WRAL.com

An internationally-acclaimed artist will carry 5 trolls to Dix Park in Raleigh within the coming months, and the general public is invited to be a part of the method.

Thomas Dambo has constructed greater than 150 trolls from recycled supplies throughout 5 continents, together with in international locations like Denmark, China, France and South Korea. In October, the artist will construct 5 new trolls in Dix Park.

The trolls are fabricated from recycled wooden, outdated pallets, fallen
branches and different supplies that will in any other case be discarded.

“My mission is to point out the world that trash
may be was one thing lovely,” Dambo mentioned. “That we will create
pleasure and connection with out consuming extra.”

Construction on the trolls will start in October. Their precise places at Dix Park will not be shared with the general public till the trolls are completed. In truth, Dambo’s interactive Trollmap encourages folks to be explorers and discover the trolls themselves.

“The pleasure is within the
discovery,” Dambo mentioned. “The trolls are shy creatures. They prefer to be
discovered, not introduced.”

Volunteers wanted

Sustainability and neighborhood involvement are cornerstones on this venture, and a group of artists will work with volunteers to construct the trolls. 

Two varieties of volunteers are wanted:

• Troll sculpture volunteers: Assist with building duties comparable to disassembling pallets, sanding, oiling wooden, utilizing easy instruments, organizing supplies and tidying the construct web site.

• Hospitality volunteers: Set up and break down lunch for the artist group and fellow volunteers and supply normal on-site assist.

No carpentry expertise is required to take part, however volunteers have to be 18 or older.

Volunteer sign-ups will open to the general public on Sept. 17, at 12 p.m., on Dix Park Conservancy (DPC) social media channels. DPC members will get the prospect to enroll early, on Sept. 2.

Meet the artist

DPC will host an artist discuss
and guide signing with Thomas Dambo on the Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Chapel at
Dix Park on Oct. 23. A selected time has not but been introduced.

Dambo’s work has been featured on the BBC, National Geographic, NPR and Lonely Planet. 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” mentioned Ruffin Hall, president and CEO of DPC. “It brings worldwide consideration to Raleigh whereas making a deeply native
expertise at Dix Park … reworking the park by means of public artwork that invitations connection, curiosity and take care of the neighborhood.”

Pop-up trolls exhibit in western NC

While the trolls at Dix Park will likely be everlasting installations, guests to North Carolina’s mountains can see extra of Dambo’s work between Nov. 15, 2025, and Feb. 17, 2026, on the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The touring, pop-up exhibit options twelve interactive troll sculptures.

Two everlasting trolls can even be put in in High Point and Charlotte this fall.