An internationally-acclaimed artist will bring five trolls to Dix Park in Raleigh in the coming months, and the public is invited to be part of the process.

Thomas Dambo has built more than 150 trolls from recycled materials across five continents, including in countries like Denmark, China, France and South Korea. In October, the artist will build five new trolls in Dix Park.

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The trolls are made of recycled wood, old pallets, fallen branches and other materials that would otherwise be discarded.

“My mission is to show the world that trash can be turned into something beautiful,” Dambo said. “That we can create joy and connection without consuming more.”

Construction on the trolls will begin in October. Their exact locations at Dix Park won't be shared with the public until the trolls are finished. In fact, Dambo's interactive Trollmap encourages people to be explorers and find the trolls themselves.

"The joy is in the discovery,” Dambo said. “The trolls are shy creatures. They like to be found, not announced.”

Volunteers needed

Sustainability and community involvement are cornerstones in this project, and a team of artists will work with volunteers to build the trolls. 

Two types of volunteers are needed:

  • Troll sculpture volunteers: Assist with construction tasks such as disassembling pallets, sanding, oiling wood, using simple tools, organizing materials and tidying the build site.
    • Hospitality volunteers: Set up and break down lunch for the artist team and fellow volunteers and provide general on-site support.

      No carpentry experience is required to participate, but volunteers must be 18 or older.

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

      Meet the artist

      DPC will host an artist talk and book signing with Thomas Dambo at the Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Chapel at Dix Park on Oct. 23. A specific time has not yet been announced.

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

      "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity," said Ruffin Hall, president and CEO of DPC. "It brings worldwide attention to Raleigh while creating a deeply local experience at Dix Park ... transforming the park through public art that invites connection, curiosity and care for the community.”

      Pop-up trolls exhibit in western NC

      While the trolls at Dix Park will be permanent installations, visitors to North Carolina's mountains can see more of Dambo's work between Nov. 15, 2025, and Feb. 17, 2026, at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The traveling, pop-up exhibit features twelve interactive troll sculptures.

      Two permanent trolls will also be installed in High Point and Charlotte this fall.