Memorial Park pays homage to Rhode Islanders who gave their lives during wars and conflicts around the world. For all full WaterFire lightings the park is one end (or beginning!) of our footprint. It has become a reflective place for visitors and locals alike. The light of luminaria candle lanterns… Read More »War Memorials Will Shine Bright for WaterFire Salute to Veterans
There are many historical features that make the WaterFire Arts Center unique. When the building was owned by the US Rubber company it had different needs than it does today. Those needs demanded solutions that we no longer commonly see today. But those original provisions make the WFAC unique.
The WFAC has a great number of large windows. This allowed the maximum amount of natural sunlight to enter the building, and minimize the amount of electrical light needed to function in a time when electricity and electric lighting were much more expensive than today.
The large scrolling doors were tall enough to allow full-size locomotives to enter the space and unload cargoes of rubber, and deliver finished product out.
Read More »Building for the Future | Episode 27 Historic Architectural Elements
Today the cement for the main hall of the WaterFire Arts Center was poured! It took all day and dozens of laborers, but the floor is complete! Truck, after truck, after truck, brought loads of cement into the arts center parking lot, where it was pumped through the emergency doors… Read More »Floored by the Cement Pour!
Electrical Systems Make Us Glow! Nothing can compare to our bonfires on the rivers of Providence. But our electrical systems make the WaterFire Arts Center a stunning place to be! Supplementing our natural light, mandatory during the night, our lighting fixtures were chosen to be appropriate to the age and industrial history of our… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 26 | Electrical
Providence local DBVW Architects used three-dimensional computer models to help them design the WaterFire Arts Center. By relying on laser scans of the preexisting building to generate a super accurate and detailed model, interventions and modifications were laid out in an explorable, modifiable environment that eased coordination between ourselves, DBVW,… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 22 | Three Dimensional Modeling
WaterFire is pleased to be partnered with Dr. Joseph Chazan in continuing his original project with Bert Crenca of AS220, in creating a new, permanent online resource for NetWorks Rhode Island. For the first time, the 113 NetWorks Rhode Island video portraits, most directed by Richard Goulis, are aggregated and presented… Read More »Introducing the new NetWorks Rhode Island Website
WaterFire would be nothing without its volunteers, and within that enormous group of hard-working Rhode Islanders are those representing their place of employment. Along with student groups, families, and many dedicated individuals, corporate volunteers help bring the magic to the city of Providence. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode… Read More »Volunteer Spotlight: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Todd Brodeur, Superintendant with TRAC Builders, kindly agreed to give us a guided tour of the construction site last week, sharing with us an overview of the many tasks being accomplished as the building and the site at 475 Valley Street are prepared for renovation and construction.
Like everyone at WaterFire Providence, I am excited to see work progressing on The WaterFire Arts Center. But I am more energized by the new opportunities it provides for our organization. Yes, it will be many times more efficient to have all of our operations contained under one roof, and yes it will be nice to work in a properly finished office environment. But it is really the programming that will take place at 475 Valley Street that gets my fires stoked. It isn’t just me; all of WaterFire’s departments and staff are looking at new ways to engage the public, develop WaterFire as an event, and advance – as well as share – the art of creative placemaking.
The internship program here at WaterFire Providence is a great opportunity for local students and young professionals to get an inside look at one of Providence’s non-profit organizations. This fall WaterFire Providence has over 10 interns from various Universities including Roger Williams University, Johnson & Wales and Wheaton College. WaterFire… Read More »The Fiery Fall Interns
