Giant troll sculpture planned

HIGH POINT — Visit High Point is leading an initiative to bring to the city what it terms a public art display of a giant wooden troll sculpture aimed at driving tourism.

President Melody Burnett told a City Council committee Thursday that organizers’ goal is to construct a Thomas Dambo Troll this fall at a site in southwest High Point.

Dambo is an artist from Denmark who creates wooden trolls about 15 to 50 feet tall from recycled materials to promote environmental awareness.

“It really leans into our branding narrative, the aesthetic that we’re after, the creatives we want to recruit here,” Burnett told the committee. “It will tie into our DNA legacy brand in home furnishings and textiles”

The Visit High Point board has committed $59,000 toward the project, while the Southwest Renewal Foundation secured an investor that is providing $300,000.

Organizers are not asking for city funding but will seek approval to construct the sculpture on a city-owned site they don’t want to reveal until the city OKs the use.

The site was chosen because it provides opportunities to connect with other projects in the area like the southwest greenway.

The plan is for Dambo and his team to start construction in late October. Burnette said local donors will provide labor and materials.

Dambo’s creations have been displayed at sites in 17 different countries and have proven to be popular draws with families and artists, she said.

His troll sculptures are also slated to be installed in Asheville, Charlotte and Raleigh, so organizers are exploring ways to partner on regional tourism efforts highlighting the displays.