Repurposed Wood Creations

A 65-foot-tall troll, titled “Big Pete with the Big Feet,” is now located in West Charlotte’s River District as part of a unique public art initiative. Created by Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo, Big Pete is one of seven troll installations scattered across North Carolina, all crafted from reclaimed wood sourced near the Catawba River. Dambo, who has built over 150 recycled sculptures worldwide, uses his work to highlight environmental issues and the impact of waste.

Visitors can explore Big Pete for free, although surrounding trails are still under construction, and follow the troll’s story through Dambo’s Trollmap, which tracks his global creations. In addition, a temporary exhibition titled 'Trolls: A Field Study' will debut Saturday at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, featuring 12 interactive troll sculptures for families and art enthusiasts to experience up close.

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