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Tim Blankenship

I've worked at WaterFire Providence since 2003. For the first 9 years of my career, I worked in the Production Shop learning all of the details that go into the physical production of the event. In 2012 transitioned to the role of managing WaterFire's social media and web presence. I now head up WaterFire Providence's digital projects including, web, social, databases, and our physical IT infrastructure.

Remembering Michael Grando

All of us will remember Michael at WaterFire and while we will miss his presence, we will work to continue his mission. Michael reached out to us all to share his gift of a red carnation to encourage each of us to reach forth and to grab the beauty of the world as we step into the bounty of life.

ArtLab@WaterFire: Creative Labs

Introducing ArtLab@WaterFire Creative Labs Art Workshops

A Free Art Workshop Series for Families at the WaterFire Arts Center See the full upcoming ArtLab@WaterFire: Creative Labs Art Workshop listings. WaterFire Providence announces the launch of ArtLab@WaterFire: Creative Labs, a new and free art workshop series for families of all ages to ignite their creativity and make art… Read More »Introducing ArtLab@WaterFire Creative Labs Art Workshops

Photograph by Mike Hayes

Announcing A Light In Every Town

A Campaign to Have a Volunteer Representative from all 39 Cities and Towns in Rhode Island WaterFire Providence is announcing A Light In Every Town, a campaign to connect communities across Rhode Island through the power of volunteerism. Presently, WaterFire boasts volunteers hailing from 35 out of Rhode Island’s 39… Read More »Announcing A Light In Every Town

WaterFire Accelerate 2023-2024 Cohort Members

WaterFire Providence Announces the 2023-2024 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort

Six new members to join the year-long professional development program for young artists under 30 WaterFire Providence announces the third cohort of WaterFire Accelerate, a professional development program for artists under 30. The third cohort includes six prolific young artists spanning a variety of mediums including painting, printmaking, photography, textiles,… Read More »WaterFire Providence Announces the 2023-2024 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort

Starts at Sunset presented by WaterFire Providence

WaterFire Providence Announces Starts At Sunset

A New Community Gathering on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge Happening on August 30, September 14, October 28, and December 31 WaterFire Providence announces Starts At Sunset, a new community gathering on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge sponsored by the Providence Tourism Council.  This… Read More »WaterFire Providence Announces Starts At Sunset

Aerial View of Waterplace Park during WaterFire Providence. Photograph by Erin Cuddigan.

WaterFire Providence Announces WaterFire, Full Circle a Docu-series Produced by RocJo Productions airing on Rhode Island PBS

WaterFire Providence announces WaterFire, Full Circle a docu-series produced by RocJo Productions airing on RI PBS. WaterFire, Full Circle is a six-part miniseries, taking viewers behind the scenes to discover how the event happens, to meet the many supporting cast members who make each WaterFire event special and distinctive, how… Read More »WaterFire Providence Announces WaterFire, Full Circle a Docu-series Produced by RocJo Productions airing on Rhode Island PBS

TroopTop Thursdays at the WaterFire Arts Center

TroopTop Thursdays at the WFAC are Back for Summer 2023!

TroopTop Thursdays, in partnership with TROOP PVD, are back and better than ever for summer 2023. Starting on June 1 and running through August 31 every Thursday Night* at the WaterFire Arts Center will be the good vibes center of the Valley Neighborhood.

The fires light up Waterplace Basin and the city skyline. Photograph by John Nickerson

WaterFire Providence Announces the 2023 Season

WaterFire Providence proudly announces the 2023 WaterFire season which currently includes seven (7) full lightings and five (5) partial lightings. The 2023 season started with a pre-season lighting on April 1, 2023, supported by the United Way of Rhode Island followed by the first-ever WaterFire Day on April 19, 2023, in Memorial Park. 

Crowds Gather Along Memorial Park to Enjoy the First WaterFire Lighting of 2018 (Photograph by Erin Cuddigan)

Governor Mckee and Mayor Smiley to Designate April 19, 2023, as the First-ever WaterFire Day

WaterFire Providence announces the designation of April 19, 2023, as the first-ever WaterFire Day in the State of Rhode Island and the City of Providence in celebration of the release of the 2023 WaterFire season schedule. In conjunction with the schedule release, WaterFire will be lighting the 12 stationary braziers… Read More »Governor Mckee and Mayor Smiley to Designate April 19, 2023, as the First-ever WaterFire Day