
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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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.

Hands-on field identification of common Western North Carolina trees using leaf, bark, and bud characteristics plus field guides while walking arboretum trails to observe early spring leaf out; outdoor class on easy paths, beginner friendly.

Hands-on field identification of common Western North Carolina trees using leaf, bark, and bud characteristics plus field guides while walking arboretum trails to observe early spring leaf out; outdoor class on easy paths, beginner friendly.
Hands-on field identification of common Western North Carolina trees using leaf, bark, and bud characteristics plus field guides while walking arboretum trails to observe early spring leaf out; outdoor class on easy paths, beginner friendly.

Guided shinrin-yoku walks through Blue Ridge forest at The North Carolina Arboretum, using slow-paced sensory practices—breathwork, mindful listening, and gentle movement—to reduce stress and deepen connection with seasonal mountain ecology.

Guided shinrin-yoku walks through Blue Ridge forest at The North Carolina Arboretum, using slow-paced sensory practices—breathwork, mindful listening, and gentle movement—to reduce stress and deepen connection with seasonal mountain ecology.
Guided shinrin-yoku walks through Blue Ridge forest at The North Carolina Arboretum, using slow-paced sensory practices—breathwork, mindful listening, and gentle movement—to reduce stress and deepen connection with seasonal mountain ecology.

Mixed media artworks inspired by The North Carolina Arboretum’s National Native Azalea Collection fill the Education Center lobby for a public reception; enjoy light snacks while meeting artists and viewing botanical paintings, collages, and illustrations.

Mixed media artworks inspired by The North Carolina Arboretum’s National Native Azalea Collection fill the Education Center lobby for a public reception; enjoy light snacks while meeting artists and viewing botanical paintings, collages, and illustrations.
Mixed media artworks inspired by The North Carolina Arboretum’s National Native Azalea Collection fill the Education Center lobby for a public reception; enjoy light snacks while meeting artists and viewing botanical paintings, collages, and illustrations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nighttime exploration tuning eyes and ears to owls, bats, and raccoons; hands on sensory games and guided activities reveal animal adaptations for families with children ages 5 12.

Nighttime exploration tuning eyes and ears to owls, bats, and raccoons; hands on sensory games and guided activities reveal animal adaptations for families with children ages 5 12.
Nighttime exploration tuning eyes and ears to owls, bats, and raccoons; hands on sensory games and guided activities reveal animal adaptations for families with children ages 5 12.