Thirty feet tall a giant red umbrella. That’s Angie’s Umbrella. It stands proudly in Seattle. This isn’t just any umbrella. This is a kinetic sculpture. It spins freely. The wind dictates its dance.
Angie’s Umbrella is a collaboration. Jim Pridgeon and Benson Shaw created it. The idea was entirely Jim’s. He pitched several designs. The committee kept rejecting them. Then he presented Angie’s Umbrella. They loved it. He asked Benson to help build it.
The umbrella is more than just art. It marks a precise spot. Western Avenue and Elliott Avenue meet at Lenora Street. Angie’s Umbrella sits right there. A red beacon in the urban landscape.
It’s made of stainless steel. Powder-coated aluminum and cast urethane too. The materials are strong and durable. They can withstand Seattle’s sometimes-fierce winds. The umbrella’s red mesh metal creates a unique moiré pattern. It’s a lean clean elegant design.
The sculpture was commissioned by local businesses. The Belltown and Denny Hill Business Associations helped. So did the Belltown Community Council. Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods also contributed.
Angie’s Umbrella has been praised. Some have called it a flashy punctuation mark. Others say it’s a beloved icon. Its presence adds a vibrant touch to Seattle. It’s been featured on various tours. It even made it into a Frommer’s walking tour.
Its name is a tribute to Jim’s grandmother. Angie’s Umbrella is more than a work of art. It is a symbol of collaboration. A testament to Seattle’s spirit. A colorful landmark many cherish. And it always puts on a free show. Thanks to the Seattle wind.