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Artist event: Meet Thomas Dambo

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

UPDATE: The contest has ended. The winner is Sarah F***ty. (Name obscured for privacy.) I’ve emailed you!

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.

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!!

  108. Sandra Hegler says

    I just saw the new trolls in Raleigh yesterday!! They are wonderfully adorable! Would love to win these tickets!!

  109. Michael Conklin says

    Saw one of his works on Vashon Island in August and am excited to see that Charlotte will have one too. Can’t wait to meet the artist and see his latest troll!

  113. Helen Scott Davis says

    This would be such a wonderful opportunity to meet the artist and see the film. Thanks for the opportunity to try and win tickets!

  117. Jane Brunson says

    I would love to win these tickets. I saw your trolls in Newport Rhode Island and absolutely loved them. I’m thrilled that trolls are coming to Charlotte, Asheville and Raleigh and would love to learn more about them!

  120. Lisa Kay Strong says

    Yes, we would love to win two tickets! I can’t wait to see one his giant trolls in person, and I would love to hear him talk about his work.

  121. Jess E says

    Oh my gosh how exciting to hear the artist speak about his work! We were just starting to plan a trip to see his trolls out of town and cannot wait to see the installation right here in CLT!

  128. Cris Forero says

    I would real love to experience this troll in person. art is so important for my the kids and we encourage it.

  129. C. Hardin says

    Please consider my 12 y/o son & myself.
    We would love to receive 2 tickets!!!

    Thank you 😊

  131. Teri DeFoe says

    This really looks fascinating. I have heard of the Trolls and have never seen one, yet!! Thanks for the opportunity to win tickets.

  132. Maryann Snead says

    I’ve seen his amazing trolls in Maine, would love to hear him talk about his inspiration and the process of creating this amazing art that always brings a smile to my face.

  135. Lisa Thomas says

    I am absolutely loving Charlotte on the Cheap – so many fun events in the area. I would love to see the troll and hear this amazing artist speak.

  136. Savannah says

    Loved his work for a while now! My mom has been sent me some videos about him too recently- would love to surprise her with tickets to this!

  137. Melanie Jimenez says

    We were lucky enough to go on a troll hunt in Copenhagen. We are so amazed by Dambo’s work and would love to see him in person.

  139. Golden Badger says

    Super Neat. Apparently of a similar vein as the artist that does the huge sculptures, paintings in San Fran. Bay, etc Hopefully a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien;-)

  144. Kathy McElveen says

    I would love to win the tickets. I have been waiting for the trolls to make it to North Carolina!

  145. Madeline Hill says

    Would LOVE the opportunity to take my mom! She absolutely loves these trolls and has traveled to see them!!

  147. Kelli Ferguson says

    I would love to win the tickets! I have been a subscriber for years and am so thankful to be part of this family! 🖤 good luck everyone

  149. Pat Sankowski says

    i would love to hear Thomas Danbo speak. I’m a fan of his marvelous artwork. Than you for this opportunity.

  152. Robyn Segal says

    This is so cool! I can’t wait to learn about where the troll may be and I’d love to attend the event.

  153. Maya Segura says

    Love Danbo his work is so incredible. He really makes a statement about the environmental climate we live in and the way people view waste. love it!!!!!

  159. Jenn C. says

    So excited for a troll here in Charlotte! I would love to hear him speak about his work and watch the film.

  162. Kathy Schwabenlender says

    I’m so happy a troll is coming to Charlotte. I’d love to win tickets to meet the artist!

  174. Alice Thrasher says

    I am excited he is coming to Charlotte. I plan to see the exhibit with my artist sister in Asheville next month.

  176. Anne sheffield says

    I would LOVE to hear the artist!!!! I can take photos from the event & post on FB & IG!

  178. McKenzie Walters says

    This sounds so fun and interesting! Didn’t know about this, so glad for this website/newsletter! Fingers crossed to win, thanks for the opportunity.

  179. Ann Bourgeois says

    I’ve followed Dumbo for many years. He really is a trailblazer in the world of recycled, art, and leveled it up to monumental scale. Already alerted Family in Asheville “the trolls are coming!“ Can’t wait to see the Charlotte site!
    Planning on bringing a group of kids to see it once it’s installed and have an in-depth discussion of incorporating recycled materials in art creation.

  182. Ver’Nita D says

    How cool would it be to win an opportunity like this?! Very exciting! I’d be so honored to win this experience!

  184. Pat Sankowski says

    The Trolls will be coming to Charlotte finally! I would love to be able to hear the artist, Thomas Dambo speak!

  185. Pat Sankowski says

    The Trolls will be coming to Charlotte finally! Excellent opportunity to see the artist!

  187. Gigi V says

    Gigi V
    November 3, 2025
    I would love tickets to see this amazing artist. I loved Trolls as a child and my Grandson loves them!!

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