Umbrella Sky Blooms Over Newport with a Bold New Look

Newport’s skyline is about to get a lot more colorful. This summer, ArtScape’s Umbrella Sky returns for its third season, splashing 1970s nostalgia across the Brick Market pedestrian street with its newest theme: Tie Dye Sky. The immersive public art installation suspends more than 450 vibrantly patterned umbrellas overhead, forming a whimsical canopy that invites both wonder and Instagram-worthy photo ops.

Created by artist and jewelry designer David Medeiros, ArtScape is a nonprofit that transforms public spaces into joyful, art-filled experiences. With Umbrella Sky, its mission is clear: make art accessible, immersive, and impossible to ignore. “We want creativity to be part of everyday life,” says Medeiros. “To walk under something unexpected and feel inspired.”

This year’s installation channels the groovy energy of the 1970s with a digital edge. ArtScape collaborated with internationally recognized digital artist Halit Benli to design custom tie-dye umbrellas, each blending retro charm with bursts of surreal color and motion. Benli’s pop art–inspired aesthetic turns the sky into a floating gallery, capturing the optimism of a bygone era with a modern beat.

But there’s more than meets the eye. The experience extends beyond visuals with Summer Sound Sessions, a free weekend concert series held Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3pm. From soulful jams to funky beats, these live performances aim to unite the community and keep the vibes high.

Follow Umbrella Sky on Instagram for the latest updates, and don’t forget to share your colorful moments using the hashtags #UmbrellaSkyNewport, #TieDyeSky, #ArtScapeNewport, and #SummerConcertSeries. The installation runs from mid-July through late October, weather permitting.