In the small Adirondack town of Tupper Lake, New York, a new public art installation is bringing an unexpected economic boost and renewed optimism. The Wild Center recently unveiled “Patrick Sapling,” a 36-foot-tall wooden troll sculpture crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. This permanent piece marks Dambo’s first installation in New York state and pays tribute to American sculptor Patrick Dougherty, known for his sapling-based works, whose last outdoor installation also resides at the Wild Center.
Tupper Lake, a community of around 5,000 residents, has experienced a surge in tourism this summer, driven largely by Dambo’s traveling exhibition “Trolls: Save the Humans.” On display at the Wild Center through October 31, the show features six oversized troll sculptures designed to inspire visitors to reconnect with and protect the natural environment. The town’s main street has witnessed a surge in visitor traffic, with local businesses embracing the theme through scavenger hunts, troll-inspired products, and arts programming.
“The trolls are instigators,” said Tina Merrihew, a longtime local business owner, referring to the unexpected economic activity the installations have sparked. Miniature troll figures appear inside shops, and local venues have introduced creative offerings like a troll-themed German pilsner beer and community theater productions inspired by the installation.
Dambo, a self-described “garbage artist,” began creating his troll sculptures from reclaimed wood and recycled plywood in 2014. Since then, nearly 200 trolls have appeared worldwide as part of his broader mission to promote sustainability through art. His current North American traveling exhibitions have generated significant tourism revenue. For instance, the “A Field Study” display brought in over $6 million in direct spending during a three-month run in Asheville, North Carolina.
Tupper Lake’s embrace of the trolls comes amid a long struggle to reinvent its economy. Once a thriving lumber town with busy sawmills, Tupper Lake saw its industrial base decline throughout the late 20th century as mills shuttered and recreational enterprises faltered. The town supervisor, Rick Dattola, described the community’s economic shift as challenging but noted that tourism and outdoor recreation have become central to growth efforts. Adaptive reuse projects, such as turning the former Oval Wood Dish Factory into affordable housing, reflect ongoing efforts to revitalize the area.
The Wild Center has played a pivotal role in attracting visitors since opening elevated trails known as Wild Walk in 2015. Attendance tripled, reaching more than 150,000 visitors annually before the trolls arrived. This year, the center is on track to exceed its previous records by nearly double, with 75 percent of visitors reporting their first experience in the Adirondacks.
Longtime supporters of Dambo’s work have traveled considerable distances to see the installations. Bettina August, a retired filmmaker from Florida, is on a personal quest to visit all of Dambo’s trolls across the country, praising the sculptures’ scale and thoughtful design for engaging the public.
What began as an artistic experiment in repurposing discarded materials has evolved into a catalyst for cultural and economic revitalization in Tupper Lake, demonstrating the potential for creative projects to support community development in rural regions.