Umbrella Sky Newport Officially Opens at Brick Market Place

Newport, Rhode Island is full of pretty things, from old mansions to historic churches, expensive boats and the mind-blowing ocean scenery.

Add Umbrella Sky Newport at Brick Market Place, and who could ask for more?

More than 500 colorful umbrellas, strung from 40-foot cables and part of an international art phenomenon that began in Portugal, provide cover from a summer shower or hot sun on Goddard Street at Newport's Brick Market Place.

My wife and I visited Brick Market Place on a recent sunny Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed the bright, sun-soaked colorful umbrellas overhead.

NewportThisWeek.com says the exhibit is the work of the non-profit ArtScape and its founder David Medeiros.

Medeiros told the site, "We're trying to enhance the experience of shopping at the same time that we create a stronger sense of community." Medeiros said he hopes to create a festival atmosphere with music, art and performances from artists from throughout the region.

Get our free mobile app

Project for Public Spaces says, "The Umbrella Sky Project began in 2011 as part of the city of Agueda's famous annual Agitagueda Art Festival in Portugal."

According to the site, each summer "rooftop cables are strung with numerous parasols that help cool the roadways in a creative and cost-effective way, and the sea of umbrellas form a unique geometric pattern overhead as well as changing shadows on the roadway below."

The idea has caught on all over the world including Lisbon, Paris, Spain, Norway, Japan and now Newport.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony for Umbrella Sky Newport, planned for July 22 at 2 p.m., will feature musicians, acrobats, flow artists, life-sized puppets, hoopers, lasers and dancers to add to the "carnival-like atmosphere."

The event is free and open to all.