CAYCE, S.C. – The City of Cayce welcomed internationally recognized artist Thomas Dambo this weekend as the City moves into the next phase of bringing South Carolina’s first Thomas Dambo troll installation to Cayce.
Dambo spent his visit getting to know Cayce firsthand and experiencing the people, places and character that define the city. The visit will help inform the design and location of the future installation, which is expected to be constructed in 2027.
The City of Cayce is partnering with SCETV to document and share the story of the city’s troll project, highlighting its connections to local history, culture, industry and community identity. The collaboration will capture Dambo’s visit and the site-development process and include the development of a documentary-style program for local and potential national distribution.
"This project, the first of its kind in South Carolina and only the third in the U.S. to be municipally funded, will be something that we look back on as a transformational moment for our city," said City of Cayce Mayor Elise Partin. "Our riverfront has miles and miles of breezy, shaded trails where commercial development isn't possible. How, then, do you leverage such an asset? You use dollars that can only be spent on tourism to invest in a custom-built tourist attraction, made in collaboration with our community, by an artist who has a proven, widespread audience that loves to travel. Those travelers will come from around the region, the country and the world to make an impact on our businesses and make our residents' quality of life even richer."
The Grandmother Tree (North Carolina, 2025). Credit: thomasdambo.com/works
A Creation Unique to Cayce
Dambo is known internationally for large-scale troll sculptures constructed from reclaimed materials and integrated into the communities and natural environments where they are installed. His work appears throughout the United States and around the world, with each installation designed specifically for its location.
Dambo’s visit was an early step in the design process. His time in Cayce will help shape the installation, drawing from the city’s history, natural surroundings and the community itself.
“I've only been in Cayce for 18 hours, and I've already found a place that I think has so much magic, it's a perfect fit for my next installation," noted Dambo. "It shows that if you just go looking, you don't need to travel to the other side of the world to find magic. Sometimes it's right under your own nose. The Mayor, Council and I went half an hour, and we found a truly magical spot.”
The final installation will be designed specifically for Cayce, with the city helping shape both its character and story.
Community Involvement Ahead
Community participation will also be an important part of the project as it moves toward construction.
Dambo’s projects often include volunteer participation and reclaimed or locally sourced materials, creating opportunities for residents and community partners to take part in the building process.
The City will share additional information about those opportunities as plans progress.
“This project is an investment in Cayce and in the type of experiences we want to create for our community,” said City of Cayce Councilwoman Alice Rose. “We are looking beyond the initial excitement and toward something that can continue bringing people to Cayce, supporting our local economy and giving residents something to enjoy for years to come.”
Construction of the Thomas Dambo troll is expected to take place in 2027. Additional information about the installation, construction timeline and opportunities for community involvement will be announced as the project develops.
Supporting Tourism and Economic Activity
Cayce will be the first city in South Carolina to host one of Dambo’s signature troll sculptures, giving residents and visitors an experience not currently available anywhere else in the state.
The project is part of the City’s larger vision to attract visitors, strengthen Cayce’s identity as a destination and create additional opportunities for people to experience local businesses, attractions and other parts of the community.
“When visitors come to Cayce, we want them to experience more than the installation,” City of Cayce City Manager Michael Conley said. “We want them to spend time in our community, support our local restaurants and businesses and discover more of what Cayce has to offer. This project gives us another opportunity to bring people into our city while creating something meaningful for the residents who already call Cayce home.”
The project is funded through accommodations and hospitality tax revenues, which are designated for tourism and related economic activity. The City approved the project as a long-term investment in tourism, community identity and economic development.
Communities that host Dambo installations have reported increased visitation and tourism activity, higher spending at local restaurants, shops, and hospitality businesses, and national and international media attention.