The Big Red Chair, situated right at the entrance of the 513 Manitou Avenue MAC building, is iconic. Sure, it’s big and it’s red, but there’s more to The Big Red Chair than mere physical attributes. It is eye-catching, perhaps because it’s big and red, but also because it’s a piece of public art that beckons the viewer. Try to resist it. Tell me you’ve never climbed the stairs and sat (or stood) in that Big Red Chair. Whether you’ve lived in Manitou for 40 years or you are visiting for the first time, The Big Red Chair invites you to climb on up and get that picture. It’s one of the things we love about it. The Big Red Chair is the de facto Manitou Art Center mascot. For the MAC, it symbolizes the power of art to engage and inspire and entertain. It brings us together in a shared experience and ownership. The Big Red Chair is not only a part of the MAC, but a part of Manitou’s unique landscape.

TBT to October 2013, when the Big Red Chair was restored with help from Manitou Springs Arts Council, Concrete Couch and Lion. The Big Red Chair is the iconic image associated with the MAC, made by Giles Thompson, Colorado College Class of 1993. Here is a

#TBT memory from CC professor of Art, Carl Reed, "he did the piece as a final project in an introductory 3D design course. It was remarkable in that context, as he did it start to finish in about 3 days - 4 at best. I strongly advised against his plan, as it was way too ambitious for such a short time frame, but he was a junior or senior drama major who had designed and built stage sets, so he had a lot of technical skills and was supremely confident. The wooden seat was perhaps the most impressive element, as he had to steam and laminate it in order to replicate the original curves."

The #BigRedChair is a favorite fixture, an irresistible photo opp lure, and a sort of unofficial mascot for the MAC. Share your Big Red Chair pics and stories on Facebook HERE!

The Big Red Chair was listed as a tip on Roadside America