ArtLab@WaterFire is a year-long, paid internship and mentorship program for BIPOC male high school students to develop professional skills in the arts and culture industry. Led by Program Coordinator, Grechel Rosado and Peter Mello, Managing Director + coCEO, the program officially launched in January of 2023 in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Providence.
Currently in its second cohort season, the program welcomes five ArtLab@WaterFire Fellows: Anthony Gutierrez, Khairee Lassiter, Tyler Moyet, Vladimir Rodriguez, and Calvin Sangster Jr. Notably, Calvin and Vlad return as senior leaders within the program, all hailing from Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School.
ArtLab@WaterFire Cohort #2 in the gallery with Shane Lee, Director Director of Training & Special Projects at the Nonviolence Institute. Left to right: Shane Lee, Calvin Sanster Jr., Grechel Rosado, Tyler Moyet, Khairee Lassiter, & Anthony Gutierrez.
2023 ArtLab@WaterFire Fellows with Governor Dan McKee at the 2023 Strike the Match WaterFire lighting. Photograph by Caitlin McDonough.
Tyler (center) working a WaterFire lighting this fall with fellow ArtLab@WaterFire fellows Vlad (right) and Anthony (far right). Photograph by Tom Backman.
These ArtLab fellows initiated the second year of the program back in September 2023 and will conclude their journey with us in August 2024. They are currently paving the way for future cohorts. The third cohort season is slated to commence in Fall 2024 and extend through Fall 2025, promising an expanded program thanks to the unwavering support from partners like Papitto Opportunity Connection, Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence, Princes2Kings, and various other organizations.
Throughout their internship, the fellows gain hands-on experience at the WaterFire Arts Center, involving themselves in exhibition installations, gallery docent duties, retail operations, and active participation in downtown WaterFire events. In addition to practical experiences, the program offers workshops, field trips, and enrichment activities encompassing topics such as financial literacy, home economics, and college preparedness to best prepare them for their future careers.
Looking ahead, WaterFire is actively seeking BIPOC community leaders in Rhode Island to serve as mentors, further enriching the ArtLab@WaterFire experience and empowering the next generation of diverse leaders in the arts and culture sector.
Vlad is our rising senior and peer leader in this season of ArtLab. We’re so fortunate to have Vlad back with us for another year and it has translated well into how he approaches his role here with us at WaterFire. Vlad is extremely charismatic and respectful. You can’t help but laugh and enjoy yourself when he’s around! Vlad has big plans after he graduates from high school this year. He is currently in the process of buying his first car and preparing for his first apartment on his own! Vlad is ambitious and nothing will get in between him and his dreams!
If you see him ask him about his experience with ArtLab!
Vlad is our rising senior and peer leader in this season of ArtLab. We’re so fortunate to have Vlad back with us for another year and it has translated well into how he approaches his role here with us at WaterFire. Vlad is extremely charismatic and respectful. You can’t help but laugh and enjoy yourself when he’s around! Vlad has big plans after he graduates from high school this year. He is currently in the process of buying his first car and preparing for his first apartment on his own! Vlad is ambitious and nothing will get in between him and his dreams!
If you see him ask him about his experience with ArtLab!…
Meet Calvin!
Calvin is back for another season of ArtLab as one of our senior leaders in the cohort! He is applying everything he has learned so far from working with us here at WaterFire into both his future career planning and also helping to empower our newest ArtLab fellows. Calvin is a bonafide chef and loves to recommend new music to whoever is interested. Calvin is a curious thinker and will always share his honest opinion. He is currently getting ready to graduate and begin his college career studying Computer Science!
Calvin is back for another season of ArtLab as one of our senior leaders in the cohort! He is applying everything he has learned so far from working with us here at WaterFire into both his future career planning and also helping to empower our newest ArtLab fellows. Calvin is a bonafide chef and loves to recommend new music to whoever is interested. Calvin is a curious thinker and will always share his honest opinion. He is currently getting ready to graduate and begin his college career studying Computer Science!
Tyler is one of our newest fellows in the program and is currently in his junior year of high school. Tyler is incredibly hardworking and everyone on the staff enjoys having him on their team. Tyler always has the best questions to ask and will make you think critically about yourself and the world around you. Tyler is interested in owning his own business one day and aspires to be an entrepreneur!
Tyler is one of our newest fellows in the program and is currently in his junior year of high school. Tyler is incredibly hardworking and everyone on the staff enjoys having him on their team. Tyler always has the best questions to ask and will make you think critically about yourself and the world around you. Tyler is interested in owning his own business one day and aspires to be an entrepreneur!
Anthony is also one of our newest fellows and a current Junior in high school. Anthony is passionate about cars and wants to learn more about the automotive industry. He is an avid basketball player and when he’s not at a court, he’s working hard at WaterFire or a gym. Anthony is soft spoken but attentive and responsible. He is truly an exemplary employee and we love having him here!
Anthony is also one of our newest fellows and a current Junior in high school. Anthony is passionate about cars and wants to learn more about the automotive industry. He is an avid basketball player and when he’s not at a court, he’s working hard at WaterFire or a gym. Anthony is soft spoken but attentive and responsible. He is truly an exemplary employee and we love having him here!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Learn MoreCookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.