TROLLS: A FIELD STUDY BY THOMAS DAMBO OPENS AT FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK IN MAY
Whimsical Outdoor Art Exhibition Featuring 12 Trolls Made of Reclaimed Materials to Open May 14, 2027 as First Traveling Exhibition by Dambo in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Next spring, something extraordinary is coming to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. TROLLS: A Field Study Presented by Macatawa Bank, Powered by Wintrust invites guests to discover the whimsical world of 12 oversized troll sculptures as they embark on a curious journey to learn about humans, opening May 14, 2027 and running through Oct. 31.
Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these larger-than-life sculptures comprise Dambo's first traveling exhibition to visit Michigan – bringing a sense of wonder and intrigue as they appear to study humans' small, intricate, and inventive ways of life. Crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets, and twigs, each troll has a distinct personality, including their fearless leader, Taks. Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.
"Perfect for families, couples, and anyone with a sense of adventure, TROLLS: A Field Study Presented by Macatawa Bank, Powered by Wintrust blends art, storytelling, and imagination," said Carol Kendra, Chief Operating Officer at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. "It's a one-of-a-kind experience that invites you to walk alongside these playful sculptures and see the world through their eyes. Most importantly, the exhibition allows visitors to appreciate both nature and the sculptures as something beautiful while also inspiring guests to recycle and reduce their impact on the environment."
Thomas Dambo, an artist celebrated for his awe-inspiring works in over 17 countries, uses his art to connect people with nature and encourage creative exploration. His mission is to inspire wonder and adventure through his giant creations and the stories they tell.
Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine said, "Imagine is delighted to partner with Thomas Dambo to bring his imaginative vision of TROLLS: A Field Study to life. We're excited to collaborate with Meijer Gardens on this one-of-a-kind exhibition that offers visitors an enchanting outdoor experience. This exhibition continues our mission of creating unforgettable moments that entertain, educate, and inspire. We're proud to continue this journey in Grand Rapids."
Kendra added, "Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: A Field Study embodies so much of what we aspire to at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: curiosity, discovery and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Through monumental sculpture, storytelling and the creative reuse of materials, this exhibition invites people of all ages to experience the connection between art and nature from a new perspective. Trolls encourage us to look more closely at the world around us, consider our relationship with the environment and reflect on how each of us can help care for the places we share."
TROLLS: A Field Study Presented by Macatawa Bank, Powered by Wintrust opens at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park May 14 and runs through Oct. 31, 2027. More information can be found at MeijerGardens.org/Trolls.
About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the world's most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, was named the Best Sculpture Park in the United States in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, Memorable Attractions winner in the Good Housekeeping 2026 Travel Awards, and is regularly listed in the 100-most-visited museums in the world and 15-most-visited museums in the United States by The Art Newspaper, the leading global art news publication. The permanent collection highlights hundreds of sculptures from internationally acclaimed artists Magdalena Abakanowicz, El Anatsui, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Nick Cave, Dale Chihuly, Mark di Suvero, Marshall Fredericks, Henry Moore, Beverly Pepper, Jaume Plensa, Auguste Rodin, Richard Serra, Yinka Shonibare CBE, and Ai Weiwei, among others. Indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions have presented numerous solo shows, including artists Jonathan Borofsky, Edgar Degas, Jim Dine, Richard Hunt, Cristina Iglesias, Michele Oka Donor, George Segal, David Smith, and others. The 158-acre main campus features Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; one of the country's largest interactive children's gardens; arid and Victorian gardens with bronze sculptures by Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin; a carnivorous plant house; outdoor gardens, including a replica 1930s-era farm garden; an 8-acre Japanese garden featuring contemporary sculpture; and a 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater garden, showcasing an eclectic mix of world-renowned touring musicians each summer. Learning Engagement programs welcome 80,000 students and guests each year. Culinary Arts & Events offerings include weddings, corporate meetings, and award-winning catering. For more information, visit MeijerGardens.org.
About Thomas Dambo
Born in Odense, Denmark in 1979, artist Thomas Dambo's mission is to create art that inspires people to explore, have adventures in nature, and show that recycled goods can be turned into something beautiful. Before embarking on the path of building larger-than-life troll sculptures, Thomas led a multi-faceted life that allowed him to express his creativity via music, street art, and scenic design. After graduating from the Kolding Design School in Kolding, Denmark, with a master's degree in interactive design, Thomas began his journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today. He currently lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. For more information, visit ThomasDambo.com.
About the Trolls
Dambo is best known for his colossal trolls that 'live' as permanent or semi-permanent installations in parks, greenspaces, industrial parks, and in other site-specific locations around the world. Each folklore-inspired sculpture is imbued with expression and character and is built entirely from reclaimed materials. Driven by a mission to inspire people to explore our relationship with the planet, many of Dambo's works have an associated folk tale written by Dambo himself that address the complex problem of our world in a fun and approachable way. TROLLS: A Field Study is accompanied by a book that captures the adventures from the Trolls' perspective. This tale shares the whimsical lessons that the 12 Trolls discovered about the little humans during their extraordinary field trip.
Every year, Thomas Dambo's sculptures inspire millions of people to get off the couch and reconnect with nature. He firmly believes that rekindling our bond with the natural world is essential for addressing the challenges humanity faces today. TROLLS: A Field Study is the second exhibition Thomas Dambo has created in collaboration with Imagine. The first, TROLLS: Save the Humans, has captivated visitors all over North America during its first year on tour.
About Imagine
Imagine (formerly known as Imagine Exhibitions) is a global leader in immersive storytelling and experiential design, specializing in the development of world-class exhibitions and attractions for museums, studios, IPs, brands, and leisure destinations worldwide. Through its four core services—Exhibitions, Studio, Retail, and Operations—Imagine created visitor experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire.
Imagine's Exhibitions division creates, tours, and operates award-winning traveling experiences like Harry Potter™: The Exhibition and Titanic: The Exhibition, captivating audiences and driving attendance worldwide. Its Studio plans, designs, and produces both traveling and permanent experiences, offering comprehensive creative services for clients seeking unique, story-driven experiences. The Retail division enhances guest engagement and drives revenue through bespoke product development, store design, and operations, while the Operations team provides extensive consulting, marketing, and operational support, ensuring the seamless and profitable management of visitor experiences across various venues.
Imagine is producing, presenting or operating more than 40 unique experiences around the globe, spanning museums, science centers, zoos, botanical gardens, integrated resorts, and non-traditional venues. For more information, visit theimagineteam.com.
About Macatawa Bank
Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, Macatawa Bank N.A., Powered by Wintrust offers a full range of banking, retail, and commercial lending, wealth management, and eCommerce services to individuals, businesses, and governmental entities. Macatawa has a network of full-service branches located throughout communities in Kent, Ottawa, and northern Allegan counties. The bank is recognized for its local management team and decision-making, along with providing customers with excellent service, a rewarding experience, and superior financial products. For more information, visit macatawabank.com.
SOURCE Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
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