Coral Gables' Whimsical Umbrella Display

CORAL GABLES, FL — The sun may be shining over Giralda Plaza, but there's no shortage of rain gear —hundreds of colorful yellow, orange, blue, green and fuchsia umbrellas — gracefully floating over the bustling pedestrian promenade. It's the new art installation that's literally taking this upscale community by storm. Coral Gables recently became the first city in South Florida and only the third in America to host the unusual Umbrella Sky art project.

The internationally recognized public art display visited Paris and Lisbon before landing in the Miami area this month. It will be here for two months.

“This captivating art project is a great example of our commitment to increase art and cultural experiences in the City Beautiful,” observed Coral Gables Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli. “Umbrella Sky will undoubtedly drive more people into our downtown, but we hope they stay to dine and shop while here.”

The public art display was made possible through a partnership between the city of Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Community Foundation and the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables.

“We’re thrilled to bring “Umbrella skies” to our City Beautiful,” said Mary Snow, Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. “Complementing the revitalization of Giralda Plaza, we’re excited to further enhance the city’s cultural landscape with this energetic project.”

Giralda Plaza is located in the 100 block of Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables.

The display was created by Sextafeira, which means Friday in Portuguese. The company is from Portugal.

Coral Gables is no stranger to public art projects. Last year, the city introduced the kinetic artwork of Carlos Cruz-Diez along crosswalks in front of City Hall and the Coral Gables Museum.

The Venice in the Gables display features eight-foot replicas of Venetian mooring posts all uniquely painted by local artists in the downtown area.

Tour the whimsical Umbrella Sky display and hear what city offficials have to say about it below:

The whimsical Umbrella Sky display takes Coral Gables by storm. Photo courtesy city of Coral Gables.