Frankfort’s best-known umbrella canopy is “Give Me Shelter,” a public-art and fundraising installation in downtown Catfish Alley. Thirty-two colorful umbrellas and globe lights were suspended between the Foundry and Cooperage buildings in November 2022. The result is both a small public gathering place and a visual reminder of the project’s purpose: supporting organizations that respond to housing instability and homelessness in Franklin County.
The installation is easy to treat as a photo stop, but its story is more useful when the art and the community work are kept together. A photograph does not show where donations go, and public art does not substitute for shelter, housing, health care, or other direct services.
Where it is and what to expect
Give Me Shelter is in Catfish Alley in downtown Frankfort, between the historic Foundry and Cooperage buildings. It is an outdoor installation rather than a staffed attraction with an admission gate. Use public sidewalks and obey any temporary closures, event controls, or posted rules. The alley is compact, so a visit can be combined with other downtown stops.
The umbrellas are mounted overhead with decorative lighting. Conditions and the installation can change with weather, maintenance, or future downtown work. Confirm current access through Visit Frankfort or the City of Frankfort before making a special trip.
How the project began
Franklin County natives Teresa Barton and Lee Ann Snelling developed the idea after seeing umbrella installations used to enliven alleys in other cities. The Blue Grass Community Foundation reports that the Frankfort project was installed in November 2022 through a fiscal sponsorship supporting the Frankfort CARES Coalition.
The coalition brings together local organizations that work on shelter, family safety, public health, youth support, and housing. The foundation reported in April 2023 that Give Me Shelter had raised more than $20,000 for the coalition. That figure is a dated fundraising report, not a measure of how many people obtained permanent housing or a promise of future results.
Public art and homelessness
The umbrellas use the idea of shelter as a visual metaphor. Visitors should not mistake the metaphor for the service itself. Public art may attract attention, create a gathering place, and help raise money; people facing homelessness still need sustained, evidence-based services and affordable housing.
Write and photograph with dignity. Do not use an identifiable person experiencing homelessness as background scenery or assume someone’s housing status from appearance. If covering the project, attribute claims about goals and impact to organizers and service providers. Ask for consent before interviewing or photographing anyone whose personal circumstances are part of the story.
Planning a respectful visit
- Visit during daylight if you want easier wayfinding and even light for photographs.
- Keep doorways, loading areas, and the pedestrian route clear.
- Do not touch, climb, or hang items from the installation.
- Check downtown event and parking information before arriving.
- For donations, use a current link from the foundation or a coalition member rather than an unverified collection page.
Downtown sidewalks and older alley surfaces may not be equally smooth. Visitors using mobility devices should confirm the best approach and accessible parking with the city or tourism office. Rain and ice can make brick or paved surfaces slippery.
