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Giant Troll Headed to Charlotte — meet the artist Nov. 6 (free ticket giveaway!)

POSTED BY
Jody Mace
Thomas Dambo and trolls in barn
Credit: Thomas Dambo

A giant troll is headed to Charlotte! International artist Thomas Dambo is the mind behind the hugely popular giant troll sculptures that have popped up around the globe.

We can’t (yet) say where or when the Dambo Troll will show up in Charlotte, but Charlotte art fans have a rare chance to hear Thomas Dambo discuss his work.

Read on to learn about the special event, or jump right to the ticket giveaway contest!

children looking at giant troll sculpture in Seattle
Dambo Troll in Seattle. Credit: Thomas Dambo

Meet Thomas Dambo

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement at Queens University and Charlotte Is Creative will host an evening talk with Thomas Dambo, the world’s leading recycle artist and the creator of the globally recognized giant troll sculptures made from reclaimed materials.

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Location: Sandra Levine Theatre, Gambrell lCenter, Queens University of Charlotte, 2319 Wellesley Ave., Charlotte, NC
Doors open: 5 p.m.
Artist talk: 6 p.m.
Screening of A Man Named Pearl: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 Purchase here

This event offers attendees an exclusive opportunity to hear Dambo share stories about his creative journey and how his art inspires communities to think creatively about sustainability and environmental impact.

Dambo’s Charlotte troll project is sponsored by a Charlotte-based company (to be revealed when the troll is complete) in partnership with Curator Lesli Marshall of Articulation Art.

“More than 150 of Thomas’ giant trolls have popped up in parks and forests around the world,” said Marshall. “It’s a thrill to help him add Charlotte to the list and an extra treat to invite the community to hear him share his story.”

Dambo’s newly released book, Trash, Trolls and Treasure Hunts, will be available for purchase at the event.

Thomas Dambo constructing a troll
Credit: Thomas Dambo

Continue the exploration of environmental public art at a special screening of the documentary, A Man Named Pearl, with the director, Scott Galloway, along with Meg Fencil of Sustain Charlotte and Maya Espinosa of Black Girl Environmentalist at 7:30 p.m.

The film tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar who sculpted a topiary garden at his home in Bishopsville, SC, just two hours from Charlotte.

This collaborative event is produced by Charlotte Is Creative and the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement, in partnership with the Independent Picture House and sponsored by The Gambrell Foundation.

Win Free Tickets

One Charlotte on the Cheap reader will win two free tickets to the talk by Thomas Dambo on November 6, 2025. To enter the contest, just scroll down and leave a comment.

Please make sure that you’ve subscribed to Charlotte on the Cheap’s newsletter.

We will email the winner on Friday, October 31, 2025.

Artist Talk: Thomas Dambo — creator of the giant trolls!
When
November 6, 2025 @ 5:00 pm
Cost
$15.00
What
Artist Talk: Thomas Dambo — creator of the giant trolls!
Where
Sarah Belk Gambrell Center, Queens University of Charlotte
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal

Sarah Belk Gambrell Center, Queens University of Charlotte

2319 Wellesley Ave
Charlotte, NC

Get Directions

Posted by Jody Mace Filed Under: Art · film

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kate McEachern says

    Hi! I would absolutely love and appreciate 2 free tickets to surprise my boyfriend. This is such a good exhibit and event and would love the opportunity to appreciate the art as I am a huge art lover! Thank you, Kate 🥰

  11. Amy McKee says

    Huge Thomas Dambo fan! Would love the opportunity to hear him speak. Also excited for a troll in Charlotte!

  22. Ashley E says

    My 12 year old son would LOVE going to this. What a great opportunity. We subscribed! Thank you!

  26. Alysia says

    So excited to hear that there will also be an artist talk in Charlotte! I have the Raleigh one on my calander but this is SO much closer. Fingers crossed to win tickets 😁

  27. Kelly Nichols says

    This sounds awesome! I’ve seen some of his trolls in Bardstown, KY park. Please enter me

  29. Astrid Magnolia Archibaud says

    I would love to learn more about the artist firsthand. Thank you for the opportunity.

  32. Andrea Aguilar says

    My kids and I would love to know this giant artist and his Mastroll piece 🤞🍀😉

  33. Courtney Wilkinson says

    This would be such a neat opportunity! Can’t wait to see the final product 🙌🏻

  36. Rhonda says

    We found 1 finished troll in Dix Park and 2 that were started. I’d love hear the artist talk about these amazing creations!

  39. Sarah Foster says

    This would be wonderful to attend with my daughter, I would love to hear more about this artist and am fascinated by his work!

  48. Pat Sankowski says

    My brother (who lives in Illinois) has visited Thomas Dambo’s trolls at Morton Arboretum and posted photos. I’ve admired them from afar, and now I’ll get to see one here in Charlotte. Yes, yes, yes I’d love to get to hear the artist speak

  51. Wendy M. Stewart says

    We would be absolutely grateful to win 2 tickets to hear this amazing artist. I am mesmerized by his art. We love The Trolls and we are thrilled North Carolina will be home to a few!

  53. Betsy A says

    Ahh my phone changed his name!! Dambo Trolls are just stunning and I can’t wait to visit the Charlotte one once it is finished.

  54. Alicia Beatty says

    I would love to go see Thomas Dambo speak! I cannot wait to see all the trolls in NC including the one in Charlotte soon! I have a weekend planned to see the Asheville and Dix Park trolls. I love his message and his art!

  57. Sloan Snyder says

    I teach elementary art. I would like to come to this event to glean ideas for lessons to teach my students. Unfortunately I make a teacher’s wages and am the sole earner in my household, so we can’t afford to purchase tickets.

  62. Rosemary Kinch says

    Experiencing a Troll in its natural habitat, learning with deep listening to it’s relationship with it’s environment would be wonderful!

  66. Lori hawes says

    My nonprofit board members would LOVE to attend. We use art therapy for our events and the results are amazing. Would love to learn about this talented artist.

  79. Kimberly Dodge says

    I’m so excited that a Dambo Troll is going to be in Charlotte! I made a huge detour out west to see the Mama Mimi near Jackson, WY. They’re stunning pieces of work 🙂

  80. Bonnie Jay says

    Would love to see the artist himself. In September I did a road tour of NJ, Maine and Rhode Island Trolls. So much fun.

  81. Shelby Shelton says

    what an exciting thing for charlotte. I would love the opportunity to experience this amazing artist

  82. Krista Margies says

    I cannot wait to see our troll! We’ve been to the ones out in Portland and Seattle. I love that the East Coast is getting our own. Thank you, Thomas Dambo.

  85. Cheryl Maney says

    I have followed him for many years. I was just able to see the trolls in Louisville. I’m planning a trip to Asheville. As an art educator, I would love to hear his story.

  89. Ellen says

    The woods are where I go for peace. Meeting a beautiful, sculptured troll would fill my heart with joy!!! I can’t wait to see where she’ll be hiding!!! 😃

  90. Cynthia Grembecki says

    I can’t wait to win the tickets and learn more about the artist! I’m so glad he’s coming to Charlotte and bringing his work!!

  95. Kristen Bouchillon says

    How Exciting that this is coming to Charlotte!!!!! I can’t wait to go see it!!!

  100. Suzanne B says

    Would love to meet the artist!! I have been seeing the art in different areas and I’m obsessed!!

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