A whimsical outdoor art exhibition made of all reclaimed wood exploring folklore, poetry, and the human relationship to nature is set to open on February 1, 2025.

Memphis, TN – The Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG) today announced further details and programming for the upcoming Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: Save the Humans seasonal exhibition presented by International Paper officially opening at the Garden on February 1. This much-anticipated exhibition, will captivate visitors of all ages, showcasing six of Thomas Dambo’s iconic folklore-inspired troll sculptures built from reclaimed materials.

Meet the Trolls:

-- Ronja Redeye - Ronja speaks from the heart with a mighty voice and is a natural leader. She speaks compassionately and honestly since she knows words can make humans smile but can also make them sad.

-- Rosa Sunfinger - Rosa is a soft-spoken introverted troll who cares for plants and other green creatures with her life-giving fingers. She spreads her wisdom by showing how plants can make even the most useless items come back to life.

-- Kamma Can - Kamma is a creator. Where humans see trash, she sees potential. She wants to teach the humans not to throw things away so fast but instead get creative with colorful plastics, which she calls eternity material.

-- Sofus Lotus - Sofus listens, feels, and is mindful of nature and all its beings. He was the first one to notice something was wrong with the world, and that nature was changing its rhythm and ways for the worse.

-- Ibbi Pip - Ibbi is a handy, optimistic troll and a friend of all animals. She tries to communicate with the humans through colorful birdhouses because she thinks this could awaken the humans’ compassion for their natural surroundings.

-- Basse Buller - Basse is a wild child at heart and loves to express himself through symbols and shapes inspired by nature he lives in, and he makes his mark with anything he can find. A rebel, he takes “no” as a “maybe.”

Thomas Dambo’s vision is to create art that encourages people to explore nature and embark on new adventures while showcasing how discarded materials can be transformed into something beautiful and unique. Produced by Imagine in collaboration with the artist, TROLLS: Save the Humans combines art, nature, and powerful messages of sustainability in a one-of-a-kind outdoor installation. Renowned for crafting larger-than-life troll sculptures using reclaimed wood and natural found materials, this exhibit marks Dambo’s latest endeavor to inspire environmental awareness through his giant, whimsical creations.

"Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: Save the Humans is a transformative exhibition that weaves art, nature, and storytelling into a powerful call for sustainability. These gigantic trolls remind us of the beauty and resilience of our environment, encouraging visitors to embrace a harmonious relationship with nature,” said MaryLynn Mack, Executive Director, Memphis Botanic Garden. “I encourage everyone to come and experience the magical folklore of Thomas Dambo.”

Visitors to the Garden from February 1 to May 21, can lean into the lore and encounter these larger-than-life personalities who made a pact at the great "Trolliefolkyfest" in a secret place to band together and help save the humans by rediscovering nature and teaching us how to live in harmony with the earth. A full roster of programming is planned to accompany the exhibition and the Garden invites the community to embrace the exhibition’s message and engage with the Trolls and their mission to save the humans through positive change and environmental awareness.

Special Events & Programming:

Advance registration or tickets are required for certain events. Events subject to change.

February
-- Wednesdays through Saturdays – Troll Tram Tours
-- February 1, 7-9 am – MBG Member Morning Preview
-- February 6 - Bringing the Outdoors In Horticulture Workshop
-- February 15 - The Great Backyard Bird Count with Ibbi Pip
-- February 16 - Ibbi Pip-Inspired Metal Clay Birdhouses
-- February 23 – Folklore Friends #1 with Becky Zee: Meet Squeegee
-- February 27 & 28 - Spirit Scarves: Transforming Found Objects into Wearable Art
-- February 28 - Rosa Sunfinger-Inspired Upcycled Planter Party (21+)

March
-- Wednesdays through Saturdays – Troll Tram Tours
-- March 8 - Trolls & Trowels: Family Play Day at the Garden
-- March 10-15 - Troll Play Days Drop-In Activities
-- March 16 – Basse Buller-Inspired Forever Flowers: Forged Copper Flower Jewelry Making Class
-- March 23 - Folklore Friends #2 with Becky Zee: Meet Momo

April
-- Wednesdays through Saturdays – Troll Tram Tours
-- April 5 -Troll Fest
-- April 12 - Troll Stroll Saturdays: Rosa Sunfinger - Presented by Janet Misner
-- April 13 - Basse Bueller-Inspired Fold Formed Leaves and Pods Jewelry Class
-- April 19 - Troll Stroll Saturdays: Sofus Lotus - Presented by Amanda and Nick Goetze
-- April 26 - Troll Stroll Saturdays: Ibbi Pip - Presented by FedEx
-- April 27 - Painting with the Sun Workshop

May
-- Wednesdays through Saturdays – Troll Tram Tours
-- May 2 - Troll Garden Party (21+)
-- May 3 - Troll Stroll Saturdays: Basse Buller - Presented by Thompson Machinery
-- May 4 - Basse Buller-Inspired Metal Clay Leaves Jewelry Class
-- May 10 - Troll Stroll Saturdays: Kamma Can - Presented by HD Pallet
-- May 17 - Troll Stroll Saturdays: Ronja Redeye - Presented by Speer Charitable Trust
-- May 18 - Folklore Friends #3 with Becky Zee: Meet Narff
-- May 21 - Last Day of Exhibit

TROLLS: Save the Humans at the Memphis Botanic Garden is presented by International Paper with support from Speer Charitable Trust, HD Pallet Company, Janet Misner, Amanda & Nick Goetze, FedEx, and Thompson Machinery. Additional support is provided by Pinnacle Financial Partners, Raymond James, LocalIQ, Blue Scope / Varco Pruden, TruGreen, WKNO, WMC, Forever Ready, Kathy and Ben Adams, Anonymous, The Pelynio Family, The Papasan Family, Sally and Chris Nickele, Perkins-Everett Lighting & Controls, Tracy and Lee Crump, Lisa and Bayard Snowden, American Paper Optics (Paulo and Jeanne Aur), Julie and Jim Raines, Diane and Walt Chambliss, DirectFX, Memphis Grizzlies, The Little Garden Club of Memphis, Gwen Campbell, Signet, Inc. (Elizabeth and David Tate), Wild Birds Unlimited of Memphis, River City Lifestyle, and Jonathan and Emma Jacobs.

Don’t miss your chance to experience Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: Save the Humans for a limited engagement from February 1 to May 21, 2025. MBG Members enjoy free unlimited access to the exhibition by showing their membership card at the entry. For non-members, the exhibition is included with general Garden admission which is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62+), $7 for children aged 2-12, and free for children under 2.

Learn more about Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: Save the Humans at the Memphis Botanic Garden at www.membg.org/trolls