
Trolls: A Field Study
Twelve giant interactive troll sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo roam the North Carolina Arboretum this winter, inviting families to explore forest trails, engage with site specific public art, and capture playful photo moments.
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Hands-on outdoor play for children and families exploring the Arboretum’s woods with fairy house and gnome home building, stick fort construction, pond life exploration, and nature storytelling to spark imaginative learning.

Hands-on outdoor play for children and families exploring the Arboretum’s woods with fairy house and gnome home building, stick fort construction, pond life exploration, and nature storytelling to spark imaginative learning.
Hands-on outdoor play for children and families exploring the Arboretum’s woods with fairy house and gnome home building, stick fort construction, pond life exploration, and nature storytelling to spark imaginative learning.

An evolving exhibition from a winter artist residency at The North Carolina Arboretum, presenting site specific, nature inspired responses to the forest’s sights and sounds as it shifts from dormancy to spring.

An evolving exhibition from a winter artist residency at The North Carolina Arboretum, presenting site specific, nature inspired responses to the forest’s sights and sounds as it shifts from dormancy to spring.
An evolving exhibition from a winter artist residency at The North Carolina Arboretum, presenting site specific, nature inspired responses to the forest’s sights and sounds as it shifts from dormancy to spring.

Guided arboretum walks for reflective nature journaling, combining field sketching, poetic observation, and basic scientific note-taking across multiple botanical sites with optional prompts and instruction from arboretum staff.

Guided arboretum walks for reflective nature journaling, combining field sketching, poetic observation, and basic scientific note-taking across multiple botanical sites with optional prompts and instruction from arboretum staff.
Guided arboretum walks for reflective nature journaling, combining field sketching, poetic observation, and basic scientific note-taking across multiple botanical sites with optional prompts and instruction from arboretum staff.

Twilight forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) among Blue Ridge mountain hemlocks and rhododendron at The North Carolina Arboretum, guided slow walks emphasizing sensory awareness, breathwork, and grounding to reduce stress and deepen nature connection.

Twilight forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) among Blue Ridge mountain hemlocks and rhododendron at The North Carolina Arboretum, guided slow walks emphasizing sensory awareness, breathwork, and grounding to reduce stress and deepen nature connection.
Twilight forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) among Blue Ridge mountain hemlocks and rhododendron at The North Carolina Arboretum, guided slow walks emphasizing sensory awareness, breathwork, and grounding to reduce stress and deepen nature connection.

Illustrated lecture tracing Blue Ridge ecosystems from the Ice Age to the present, examining paleoclimate-driven shifts in native plants and animals and implications for contemporary conservation.

Illustrated lecture tracing Blue Ridge ecosystems from the Ice Age to the present, examining paleoclimate-driven shifts in native plants and animals and implications for contemporary conservation.
Illustrated lecture tracing Blue Ridge ecosystems from the Ice Age to the present, examining paleoclimate-driven shifts in native plants and animals and implications for contemporary conservation.

Slow, guided walk through the North Carolina Arboretum exploring plant identification, animal signs, and seasonal ecology; staff naturalists tailor discussion to observations and questions, making each outing different and accessible.

Slow, guided walk through the North Carolina Arboretum exploring plant identification, animal signs, and seasonal ecology; staff naturalists tailor discussion to observations and questions, making each outing different and accessible.
Slow, guided walk through the North Carolina Arboretum exploring plant identification, animal signs, and seasonal ecology; staff naturalists tailor discussion to observations and questions, making each outing different and accessible.

Resonant gongs and crystal bowls wash through the Arboretum gardens in a guided sound bath, encouraging deep relaxation and meditative listening among towering native trees and cultivated plantings.

Resonant gongs and crystal bowls wash through the Arboretum gardens in a guided sound bath, encouraging deep relaxation and meditative listening among towering native trees and cultivated plantings.
Resonant gongs and crystal bowls wash through the Arboretum gardens in a guided sound bath, encouraging deep relaxation and meditative listening among towering native trees and cultivated plantings.

Guided walk through a working mushroom farm demonstrating spawn inoculation, log and substrate techniques, and fungi identification among shaded beds in the Swannanoa Valley and seasonal harvests.

Guided walk through a working mushroom farm demonstrating spawn inoculation, log and substrate techniques, and fungi identification among shaded beds in the Swannanoa Valley and seasonal harvests.
Guided walk through a working mushroom farm demonstrating spawn inoculation, log and substrate techniques, and fungi identification among shaded beds in the Swannanoa Valley and seasonal harvests.

Docent led in gallery walkthrough offering close looking and curator insights into the museum's current show, with contextual art history commentary, thematic highlights, and Q&A for visitors seeking deeper understanding.

Docent led in gallery walkthrough offering close looking and curator insights into the museum's current show, with contextual art history commentary, thematic highlights, and Q&A for visitors seeking deeper understanding.
Docent led in gallery walkthrough offering close looking and curator insights into the museum's current show, with contextual art history commentary, thematic highlights, and Q&A for visitors seeking deeper understanding.

Introductory ecological gardening class covering ecosystem principles, soil health, and plant selection to design resilient, low-maintenance landscapes; hands-on design strategies aimed at home gardeners seeking sustainable, biodiverse yardscapes.

Introductory ecological gardening class covering ecosystem principles, soil health, and plant selection to design resilient, low-maintenance landscapes; hands-on design strategies aimed at home gardeners seeking sustainable, biodiverse yardscapes.
Introductory ecological gardening class covering ecosystem principles, soil health, and plant selection to design resilient, low-maintenance landscapes; hands-on design strategies aimed at home gardeners seeking sustainable, biodiverse yardscapes.
Interactive evening tours led by volunteer educators and museum staff that illuminate the Asheville Art Museum’s history and rotating collection, focusing on select objects from current exhibitions; no reservations required.
Interactive evening tours led by volunteer educators and museum staff that illuminate the Asheville Art Museum’s history and rotating collection, focusing on select objects from current exhibitions; no reservations required.
Interactive evening tours led by volunteer educators and museum staff that illuminate the Asheville Art Museum’s history and rotating collection, focusing on select objects from current exhibitions; no reservations required.

Guided woodland walk at the NC Arboretum following the Natural Garden Trail to Wesley Branch and Bent Creek, with side visits to the National Native Azalea Collection and Ethnobotany Trail; wear weatherproof sneakers and consider walking poles.

Guided woodland walk at the NC Arboretum following the Natural Garden Trail to Wesley Branch and Bent Creek, with side visits to the National Native Azalea Collection and Ethnobotany Trail; wear weatherproof sneakers and consider walking poles.
Guided woodland walk at the NC Arboretum following the Natural Garden Trail to Wesley Branch and Bent Creek, with side visits to the National Native Azalea Collection and Ethnobotany Trail; wear weatherproof sneakers and consider walking poles.

Docent led exploration of the museum's current featured exhibition, guiding small groups through gallery flow, close readings of significant artworks, curatorial insights, and a short Q&A to deepen visual and historical understanding.

Docent led exploration of the museum's current featured exhibition, guiding small groups through gallery flow, close readings of significant artworks, curatorial insights, and a short Q&A to deepen visual and historical understanding.
Docent led exploration of the museum's current featured exhibition, guiding small groups through gallery flow, close readings of significant artworks, curatorial insights, and a short Q&A to deepen visual and historical understanding.

Contemporary craft works investigate form, movement, and organic shape across ceramics, textiles, sculpture, and mixed media, presented by regional artists in the Focus Gallery at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Contemporary craft works investigate form, movement, and organic shape across ceramics, textiles, sculpture, and mixed media, presented by regional artists in the Focus Gallery at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Contemporary craft works investigate form, movement, and organic shape across ceramics, textiles, sculpture, and mixed media, presented by regional artists in the Focus Gallery at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Guided slow looking sessions led by a volunteer educator at the Asheville Art Museum, using close observation to cultivate relaxation and interpersonal connection within museum galleries.
Guided slow looking sessions led by a volunteer educator at the Asheville Art Museum, using close observation to cultivate relaxation and interpersonal connection within museum galleries.
Guided slow looking sessions led by a volunteer educator at the Asheville Art Museum, using close observation to cultivate relaxation and interpersonal connection within museum galleries.

Curated gallery exhibition of contemporary women artists rooted in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing voices, visions, and material mastery across painting, sculpture, and mixed media; open Wednesdays through Sundays, on view through May 17, 2026.

Curated gallery exhibition of contemporary women artists rooted in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing voices, visions, and material mastery across painting, sculpture, and mixed media; open Wednesdays through Sundays, on view through May 17, 2026.
Curated gallery exhibition of contemporary women artists rooted in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing voices, visions, and material mastery across painting, sculpture, and mixed media; open Wednesdays through Sundays, on view through May 17, 2026.

Curated selection of wheel thrown and handbuilt ceramics, glaze experiments, and community used tools highlighting a 45 year Highwater Clays legacy in WNC; gallery open Wed–Sun at 11am through April 26, 2026.

Curated selection of wheel thrown and handbuilt ceramics, glaze experiments, and community used tools highlighting a 45 year Highwater Clays legacy in WNC; gallery open Wed–Sun at 11am through April 26, 2026.
Curated selection of wheel thrown and handbuilt ceramics, glaze experiments, and community used tools highlighting a 45 year Highwater Clays legacy in WNC; gallery open Wed–Sun at 11am through April 26, 2026.
Quiet, guided forest bathing among mature pines and rhododendrons, blending gentle movement, deep breathwork, and mindful sensory awareness for a restorative afternoon of nature immersion.
Quiet, guided forest bathing among mature pines and rhododendrons, blending gentle movement, deep breathwork, and mindful sensory awareness for a restorative afternoon of nature immersion.
Quiet, guided forest bathing among mature pines and rhododendrons, blending gentle movement, deep breathwork, and mindful sensory awareness for a restorative afternoon of nature immersion.