This event is part of a series – see below for details.July 2, 2026 5:00 p.m.July 4, 2026 10:00 a.m.
America, Unfinished?! | A Contemporary Art Experience
Event Details
July 2 – August 30, 2026
WaterFire Arts Center Main Hall
The WaterFire Arts Center presents America, Unfinished?!, a large-scale contemporary art exhibition exploring the complexities, contradictions, and possibilities of the American experience.
Presented in partnership with Tomaquag Museum, with selected works and materials from the museum on view.
Bringing together artists from across the country, the exhibition examines themes of identity, democracy, belonging, memory, justice, and civic life through a wide range of contemporary artistic practices. Through immersive installations, large-scale artworks, and thought-provoking interventions, America, Unfinished?! invites visitors to reflect on the stories that shape our nation and consider their own role in its evolving future.
Presented in the 15,000-square-foot Main Hall, America, Unfinished?! transforms the space into a dynamic environment for dialogue, reflection, and discovery.
Admission is free, and donations are encouraged.
Opening + Programming
Opening Reception
Thursday, July 2 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Opening night will also feature a live painting by exhibiting artist Ramiro Davaro-Comas, who will invite visitors to contribute to the final work using crayons and pencils through drawings inspired by childhood or short messages to their younger selves.
Closing Gathering
Thursday, August 27 | 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Additional Programming on Thursdays
July 2, July 9, July 16
Aug 6, Aug 13, Aug 20, Aug 27
details TBA
Artist Panels and Workshops
Meet and hear from participating artists:
- July 2 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:00pm: Opening Reception
- 6:30pm: Live Mural Painting by Ramiro Davaro-Comas
- July 9 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:00pm: America, Unfinished?! Artist Mixer Night
- July 16 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:30pm: America, Unfinished?! Artist Talk and Tour with Stephen Golding, Scott Lapham, Sussy Santana, Dominic Quagliozzi, and Jocelyn Vache
- 8:00pm: America, Unfinished?! Artist Talk and Tour with Stephen Golding, Scott Lapham, Sussy Santana, Dominic Quagliozzi, and Jocelyn Vache
- July 30 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:00pm: Capitalist Time, by Megan Bent
- 7:30pm: Unfolding, by Sussy Santana
- August 6 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:00pm: Workshop Night – Cyanotype Printing with Filipe Miguel
- 7:00pm: Making Paint from Soy Milk with Jocelyn Vache
- August 13 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:00pm: Ascending Artist Talk and Tour with Scott Foster, Miciah Stasis-Harding, and Joshua Carter
- August 20 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:00pm: Performance by Lee-Sean Huang
- August 27 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm:
- 6:00pm: Live Artwork Burning by Tracie Lee
Valley Vibes
Thursday evenings this summer on the WaterFire Arts Center roof deck. Enjoy drinks, live performances, and pop-up experiences in this vibrant after-work setting.
Happening every Thursday during America, Unfinished?!, except for July 23 (closed for a private event).
Gallery Night Providence
Jump on a trolley from the WaterFire Arts Center, explore multiple local partner galleries, and then return to the WFAC.
- Thursday, July 16
- Thursday, August 20
Admission is free, and donations are encouraged.
Participating Artists
Participating artists include Adolfo Peralta, Aileen Bassis, Alex Ferrone, Anya Detonnancourt, Bhen Alan, Bláithín Haddad, Brooke Toczylowski, Callum Sharkey, Charles Compo, Christl Stringer, Daniella Pozo, Dave Pettengill, Derek Raymond, Dominic Quagliozzi, Eliza Goodwin, Filipe Miguel assisted by C. Rose Bergeron, Francine Weiss, Fu’una, Gregory Parizhsky, Haley Andrews of Andrews Movement, Hanako E O’Leary, Haus of Glitter, Hayley Piret, Heidi Jensen, Ireoluwatoni Asojo, Jaden Kyung-Moon Bauch, Jean Blackburn, Jeanne Ciravolo, Jeff Hesser, Jeremy Dennis, Jo Cosme, Jocelyn Vache, John Buron, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley, Jose Trejo Maya, Julia Dwinell, Kannetha Brown, Karla DeStefano, Keana Walters, Khalil McKnight, Kristin Schiff, Laura Lee Brady, Laura Lott, Lee Casstevens, Lee-Sean Huang, Leela Corman, Lindsey White, Lisa Rockford, Lisa Tang Liu and James David Tabor, Magalen L. Nichols, Marcel Marcel, Mariana Cicerchia, Mary Pat Turner, Megan Bent, nai marie and Emery Mollock, Ramiro Davaro-Comas, Scott Lapham, Sebastian Ebarb, Sheila Smith, Spencer Evans, Stephen Golding, Steve Roth, Sussy Santana, Suzanne Kachmar, Tim Rietenbach, Tracie Lee, Traé Brooks, Umberto Crenca, William Evertson, and Xray Aims.
Artist Statements Page
Tomaquag Museum & Contributing Artists:
Raphael Champlin, enrolled Narragansett Citizen, elder; Robin Spears Jr., enrolled Narragansett Citizen, elder; Robert Jones, enrolled Narragansett Citizen; Sherenté Harris, enrolled Narragansett Citizen; Vange Hopkins, enrolled Narragansett Citizen; Mikala Jackson, Paiute, Shoshone; Robin Spears III., enrolled Narragansett Citizen; Pummukau Harris, enrolled Narragansett Citizen, youth; and Olivia Carter, enrolled Narragansett Citizen, youth
Companion Exhibition
Ascending: The Liberation of Native Art
Presented by CEDAR NATION and sponsored by The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
Visitors begin their experience in the WaterFire Arts Center gallery with Ascending: The Liberation of Native Art before continuing into America, Unfinished?! in the Main Hall.
Curated by Brooke Waldron, Ascending brings together Native artists from across the Northeast whose work reflects generations of cultural knowledge, creative practice, and self-determined expression. Together, the exhibitions invite audiences to engage with questions of identity, belonging, history, and the stories that continue to shape our collective future.
Exhibition Hours
Wednesday–Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursdays | Open late until 9:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays + Tuesdays
Note: Closed to the public on Thursday, July 23, for a private event.
Interested in bringing a group?
Guided tours can be arranged during open hours, and with advance notice, we may also be able to accommodate tours on Mondays or Tuesdays. To inquire or schedule, please contact Eli Yung at eli@waterfire.org.
Organizer
