Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans
February 1 Through May 21, 2025
February 1 through May 21, 2025
Have you heard the BIG news?! Trolls are coming to the Garden to help save the humans. At the great “Trolliefolkyfest” in a secret place, six young trolls made a pact to band together and help save the humans by rediscovering nature and teaching us how to live in harmony with the earth. They recognized the hope within each of us to take action and make positive changes toward a greater future. From the communicator Ronja Redeye to rebel Basse Buller and Ibbi Pip the optimist, these gentle giants are here to save the humans. Lean into the lore that this larger-than-life fairytale brings to the Garden this spring as art, nature, and messages of sustainability intertwine in this unique outdoor exhibition.
Meet the Trolls
Ronja Redeye
Communicator
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.
Friend of Speer Charitable Trust
Rosa Sunfinger
Introvert
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.
Friend of Janet Misner
Kamma Can
Creator
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.
Friend of HD Pallet Company
Sofus Lotus
Listener
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.
Friend of Amanda and Nick Goetze
Ibbi Pip
Optimist
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.
Friend of FedEx
Basse Buller
Rebel
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.”
Friend of Thompson Machinery
About Thomas Dambo
Thomas Dambo is considered the world’s leading recycle artist, having been taught from a young age the value of recycling, sustainability, and unlimited imagination. Before embarking on the path of building larger-than-life sculptures, Thomas led a multifaceted life that allowed him to express his creativity via music, street art, and scenic design. After graduating from the Kolding Design School with a master’s degree in interactive design, Thomas began his current journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today.
Thomas’ high level of creativity, design acumen and versatility drive the creation of highly interactive experiences, allowing users to express their own individuality on a large scale. This philosophy can be found in works such as his Happy Alphabet, Happy Wall and Future Forest. From vibrant gardens made of recycled plastics to a functioning Christmas market made from commercial refuse, Thomas creates experiences that are immersive, interactive, and awe-inspiring. Today, Thomas is known internationally for his larger-than-life Troll sculptures made from recycled wood. With 87 sculptures all over the world, these Trolls have begun to have a life of their own. Popping up in Denmark, USA, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Chile, and many more on the way, the message of sustainability and unlimited imagination have reached millions through in person visits, shared photos, and international media coverage.
Thomas’ vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrates that trash can be turned into something beautiful.
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 19 – It’s Getting Hot Out There: Risks and Solutions to Extreme Weather Lecture
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 Buller-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 Know before you go
General admission to the Garden includes TROLLS: Save the Humans. Admission can be purchased at the front desk in our Visitors Center when you arrive for your visit. At this time, reservations or advanced purchase is not required for daily admission to the Garden.
For Non-Members, admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62+), $7 for children aged 2-12, and free for children under 2.
MBG Members enjoy free unlimited access to the exhibition by showing their membership card at the entry. Click to join!
Special events & programming may require a ticket. Please check our Things To Do Calendar for more details & upcoming events.
All of the trolls are located near an accessible pathway in the Garden.
We have a few push-chair wheelchairs that are available to guests. They are on a first-come, first-serve and are free of charge. Simply ask admission staff if one is available for use.
MBG Members will enjoy free unlimited access to the exhibition during normal daily admission hours by showing their membership card at the entry. Click to join!
See below for group rates.
There are no other discounts offered at this time.
There is a TROLLS: Save the Humans 90-minute school program available. Garden guides will lead them in hands-on lessons and activities focusing on native plants, recycling, sustainable living, and other earth-friendly themes.The program can be adapted for grades K-12 and is available between February 3 and May 21, 2025.
For more information or to book your field trip contact Kristen Zemaitis at 901-636-4126 or kristen.zemaitis@membg.org.
Fratelli’s Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am-2 pm. Click here to visit their website.
Please refer to individual event listings for food and beverage offerings at special events.
Please do not step in planted beds or on any plants.
Use caution around pond edges, and please no wading in the fountains.
Children must be supervised at all times.
Please use courtesy when taking photos, and do not block pathways.
Groups over 20 can receive $2 off per person. Please contact William Henry, Box Office Manager, for group ticket sales at william.henry@membg.org or 901-636-4107.
Parking and entry is through our Visitors Center.
Guests are welcome to take photographs and videos of the exhibition for personal use, however personal photo shoots, including engagement photos, wedding/bridal photos, and family portraits using any professional equipment must be scheduled in advance and requires a fee.
Please fill out the survey to share your experience with us.
Click here to see our full calendar of upcoming workshops, events, and drop-in programs.
Advanced registration and/or ticketing is required for some programs. Please refer to the individual listings on our events calendar for details and more information.
Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.
