
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.
Similar Events

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.

Nighttime guided walk through The North Carolina Arboretum to locate frogs, toads, and salamanders by their calls and flashlight beams; naturalists discuss species, habitats, and detection techniques.

Nighttime guided walk through The North Carolina Arboretum to locate frogs, toads, and salamanders by their calls and flashlight beams; naturalists discuss species, habitats, and detection techniques.
Nighttime guided walk through The North Carolina Arboretum to locate frogs, toads, and salamanders by their calls and flashlight beams; naturalists discuss species, habitats, and detection techniques.

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.

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.

Engaging illustrated talk exploring ecological interrelationships through storytelling, slides, and participatory activities that reveal plant and animal habitat connections, ideal for curious adults and families seeking nature education.

Engaging illustrated talk exploring ecological interrelationships through storytelling, slides, and participatory activities that reveal plant and animal habitat connections, ideal for curious adults and families seeking nature education.
Engaging illustrated talk exploring ecological interrelationships through storytelling, slides, and participatory activities that reveal plant and animal habitat connections, ideal for curious adults and families seeking nature education.

Paint an original landscape from direct observation in a two-hour, beginner-friendly workshop focused on composition, color mixing, and translating outdoor sketches into a finished piece.

Paint an original landscape from direct observation in a two-hour, beginner-friendly workshop focused on composition, color mixing, and translating outdoor sketches into a finished piece.
Paint an original landscape from direct observation in a two-hour, beginner-friendly workshop focused on composition, color mixing, and translating outdoor sketches into a finished piece.
Interactive museum tours led by volunteer educators and staff guide visitors through curated highlights of the Asheville Art Museum's collection and rotating exhibitions, with different object focused routes each time; no reservations required.
Interactive museum tours led by volunteer educators and staff guide visitors through curated highlights of the Asheville Art Museum's collection and rotating exhibitions, with different object focused routes each time; no reservations required.
Interactive museum tours led by volunteer educators and staff guide visitors through curated highlights of the Asheville Art Museum's collection and rotating exhibitions, with different object focused routes each time; no reservations required.

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.

Slow, guided forest bathing walks through the North Carolina Arboretum's awakening trails, using mindful sensory practices to translate winter dreaming into spring renewal. Facilitated exercises encourage grounding, reflection, and gentle nature based transformation.

Slow, guided forest bathing walks through the North Carolina Arboretum's awakening trails, using mindful sensory practices to translate winter dreaming into spring renewal. Facilitated exercises encourage grounding, reflection, and gentle nature based transformation.
Slow, guided forest bathing walks through the North Carolina Arboretum's awakening trails, using mindful sensory practices to translate winter dreaming into spring renewal. Facilitated exercises encourage grounding, reflection, and gentle nature based transformation.

Contemporary craft installations and mixed media works by regional artists exploring form, movement, and organic shape fill Focus Gallery at the Folk Art Center along the Blue Ridge Parkway, emphasizing tactile surfaces and sculptural rhythm.

Contemporary craft installations and mixed media works by regional artists exploring form, movement, and organic shape fill Focus Gallery at the Folk Art Center along the Blue Ridge Parkway, emphasizing tactile surfaces and sculptural rhythm.
Contemporary craft installations and mixed media works by regional artists exploring form, movement, and organic shape fill Focus Gallery at the Folk Art Center along the Blue Ridge Parkway, emphasizing tactile surfaces and sculptural rhythm.

Evening guided tour of the Asheville Art Museum's current featured exhibition, offering close viewing and interpretive insights into artworks and themes as visitors move through the museum's galleries.

Evening guided tour of the Asheville Art Museum's current featured exhibition, offering close viewing and interpretive insights into artworks and themes as visitors move through the museum's galleries.
Evening guided tour of the Asheville Art Museum's current featured exhibition, offering close viewing and interpretive insights into artworks and themes as visitors move through the museum's galleries.
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.

Curated survey of wheel-thrown and sculptural ceramics reflecting 45 years of Highwater Clays' influence on regional WNC studio pottery and community, on view through April 26, 2026.

Curated survey of wheel-thrown and sculptural ceramics reflecting 45 years of Highwater Clays' influence on regional WNC studio pottery and community, on view through April 26, 2026.
Curated survey of wheel-thrown and sculptural ceramics reflecting 45 years of Highwater Clays' influence on regional WNC studio pottery and community, on view through April 26, 2026.

Survey of contemporary women artists rooted in the Pacific Northwest, highlighting material mastery in painting, sculpture, and mixed media installations that blend landscape motifs, progressive themes, and tactile craftsmanship.

Survey of contemporary women artists rooted in the Pacific Northwest, highlighting material mastery in painting, sculpture, and mixed media installations that blend landscape motifs, progressive themes, and tactile craftsmanship.
Survey of contemporary women artists rooted in the Pacific Northwest, highlighting material mastery in painting, sculpture, and mixed media installations that blend landscape motifs, progressive themes, and tactile craftsmanship.
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.

Practical ecology based gardening strategies for creating resilient, biodiverse landscapes, covering soil health, native plant selection, habitat scale thinking, and low input maintenance techniques for home gardeners.

Practical ecology based gardening strategies for creating resilient, biodiverse landscapes, covering soil health, native plant selection, habitat scale thinking, and low input maintenance techniques for home gardeners.
Practical ecology based gardening strategies for creating resilient, biodiverse landscapes, covering soil health, native plant selection, habitat scale thinking, and low input maintenance techniques for home gardeners.