This fall, the forests and pathways of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park will become the stomping grounds for giants.
Beginning Oct. 15, guests can step into TROLLS: A Field Study, an immersive outdoor art experience featuring 12 towering troll sculptures hidden throughout the landscapes of both parks- making them the first locations in the Pacific Northwest to host these larger-than-life trolls. Set among towering evergreens, winding trails, and native wildlife habitats, the exhibition transforms the Northwest scenery into a whimsical world where folklore, nature, and imagination collide.
Created by internationally acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo and produced by Imagine, the towering trolls arrive with a curious mission: to study humans and better understand the strange, creative, and complicated world we’ve built. Constructed from reclaimed materials including fallen branches, scrap wood, pallets, and twigs, each sculpture carries its own personality and story, led by the fearless and inquisitive troll leader, Taks.
As guests explore the two sister zoos, they’ll encounter trolls tucked into forested corners, peering over pathways, and blending into the natural surroundings in ways that feel uniquely at home. At Northwest Trek, the exhibition complements the park’s immersive wildlife landscapes and deep connection to nature, while at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the trolls add an unexpected layer of wonder to the already vibrant gardens, forests, and animal habitats.
More than an art installation, TROLLS: A Field Study encourages guests to slow down, explore outdoors, and see the environment through a new lens. By transforming discarded materials into monumental works of art, the exhibition also highlights themes of sustainability, creativity, and environmental stewardship, inspiring guests to rethink what we throw away and rediscover beauty in the natural world around us.
“Imagine is delighted to partner with Thomas Dambo to bring his imaginative vision of TROLLS: A Field Study to life,” said Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine. “We’re excited to collaborate with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park on this one-of-a-kind exhibition that offers guests an enchanting outdoor experience. This exhibition continues our mission of creating unforgettable moments that entertain, educate, and inspire.”
“We’re always looking for new ways to connect people with nature, wildlife, and the outdoors,” said Matt Mauer, President of the Parks Tacoma Board of Commissioners. “TROLLS: A Field Study brings together art, imagination, and environmental stewardship in a way that feels perfectly at home in the forests and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest at Northwest Trek and Point Defiance Zoo.”
Known for his large-scale recycled-art installations in more than 17 countries, Dambo creates works designed to spark adventure, storytelling, and a deeper connection to nature. His trolls have captivated millions around the world, and this fall, they’ll make the forests of Tacoma and Eatonville their temporary home.
TROLLS: A Field Study opens Oct. 15 at both Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and runs through Jan. 24.
Learn more at trolltrek.org.
About Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are facilities of Parks Tacoma, an independent government agency creating healthy opportunities to play, learn and grow since 1907. A five-member Board of Park Commissioners governs Parks Tacoma and is the policy determining body for the park district.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, located in Eatonville, Washington, is a 725-acre wildlife park dedicated to conservation, education and connecting people with native Northwest wildlife. The wildlife park is home to more than 40 species, including bison, elk, gray wolves and grizzly bears, many of which can be seen roaming freely in the expansive Free-Roaming Area. Through immersive experiences and conservation programs, Northwest Trek inspires guests to care for wildlife and wild places.
About Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, located in Tacoma, Washington, is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo is home to nearly 300 animal species and features award-winning exhibits, conservation programs and educational experiences focused on protecting wildlife locally and around the world.
Parking is always FREE at both Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. For tickets, event details and reservations, visit trolltrek.org.
About the artist 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 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.
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 delightful book that captures the adventures from the Trolls’ perspective. This engaging tale shares the whimsical lessons that the twelve 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 currently 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.