Brick by Brick

The West End of The WaterFire Arts Center is receiving a facade lift! Many of the bricks laid in 1929 during the building’s construction have been damaged by time and New England’s harsh winters. As part of the historic restoration, all bricks with scaled faces, cracks, or damaged mortar are being replaced and refitted with matching, new or salvaged brick from elsewhere on the site or new sources.

The work is challenging, with power hammers used to remove mortar and free the damaged bricks. Much of the process has to be done high on lifts, adding to its difficulty. However, refinishing the brickwork now is vital the long-term health of the building, and precludes us from having to step back and restore it after WaterFire Providence’s occupancy begins.

About the author

Tim Blankenship

Director of Special Projects at WaterFire | + posts by author

Tim Blankenship, newly appointed Director of Special Projects, is a 22-year veteran of WaterFire and a steadfast advocate for the organization’s mission to unite the community through shared artistic experiences. Having worked across multiple departments, including a decade in production and recent years with the creative services team, Tim brings unmatched institutional knowledge to his new role. He will focus on strengthening internal systems and supporting the creation of new visitor experiences at both the downtown installation and the WaterFire Arts Center.