WaterFire Providence Announces the 2023-2024 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort
WaterFire Accelerate is a year-long professional development program for emerging artists under 30 that is specifically designed to provide access to resources that will further participants’ artistic careers. WaterFire Accelerate engages young artists in areas outside the traditional art school experience through a series of meetings, workshops, site visits, and discussions. Professionals in the field share their experiences and learnings in open discussions where topics involving best practices, self-representation, marketing, finance and taxes, and technology surrounding art are explored. Each cohort represents the Providence community and is diverse in both the makeup of participants and their chosen mediums.
WaterFire Accelerate artists receive a stipend that helps them produce new works during the program and aligns with WaterFire Providence’s overall mission of supporting artists and recognizing the value of their craft. Aside from the group show, WaterFire Providence provides various opportunities for WaterFire Accelerate artists to showcase and sell their work throughout the duration of the program at WaterFire ArtMarts, downtown lighting events, as well as the inclusion of their artworks and merchandise at the WaterFire Arts Center store.
The 2023-2024 cohort was selected by a WaterFire Accelerate Selection Committee that included local leaders in the arts: Candida Clayton, gallerist, curator, and art advisor; Michael Rose, Gallery Manager at the Providence Art Club; Sav Hazard-Chaney, former WaterFire Accelerate cohort member; as well as WaterFire staff members Peter A. Mello, Managing Director + coCEO, Nicole Nehiley, Community Relations Manager, and Grechel Rosado, Programs Coordinator.
Anyone interested in donating or supporting WaterFire Accelerate should contact Nicole Nehiley, community relations manager ([email protected] | (401) 443-5543. Applications for the next cohort of Accelerate artists will be available in the fall of 2024 on the WaterFire website.
Hungry for some delicious food and art???
Then don’t miss out on this opening + cookout + marketplace happening NEXT Friday, October 6th from 2:30-6pm at our friendly neighbors @unficafe_pvd ☕️🍽️🌭
We’re taking over the UNFI Café PVD space with a gallery unveiling of our newest WaterFire Accelerate Artists. ✂️🖼️
It’s going to be an afternoon filled with celebrations, great healthy food, and art for everyone to indulge in.
The theme of this exhibition is BEGINNINGS. Beginning of a new season. Beginning of new opportunities. Beginning of a yearlong experience that will be impactful to all.
Let’s show up and congratulate these 6 outstanding individuals as they embark on a year long journey with us here at WaterFire.
This event is FREE and OPEN TO ALL.
See you then ❤️🔥

Hungry for some delicious food and art???
Then don’t miss out on this opening + cookout + marketplace happening NEXT Friday, October 6th from 2:30-6pm at our friendly neighbors @unficafe_pvd ☕️🍽️🌭
We’re taking over the UNFI Café PVD space with a gallery unveiling of our newest WaterFire Accelerate Artists. ✂️🖼️
It’s going to be an afternoon filled with celebrations, great healthy food, and art for everyone to indulge in.
The theme of this exhibition is BEGINNINGS. Beginning of a new season. Beginning of new opportunities. Beginning of a yearlong experience that will be impactful to all.
Let’s show up and congratulate these 6 outstanding individuals as they embark on a year long journey with us here at WaterFire.
This event is FREE and OPEN TO ALL.
See you then ❤️🔥
THE TIME HAS COME‼️🔥Join us in welcoming our newest WaterFire Accelerate Cohort Artists: Kannetha Brown, Sydney Darrow, Emily Gray, Andrea Pascual, Adolfo Peralta, and Leiyana Simone Pereira.
The third cohort includes six prolific young artists spanning a variety of mediums including painting, printmaking, photography, textiles, and artists with experience with curatorial work. The new WaterFire Accelerate cohort embarks on their journey in September and will conclude with a group exhibition in July of 2024, while engaging in monthly meetings, events, and site visits.
We`re fired up with excitement to see what these 6 incredible artists embark on during their time with us at WaterFire. ❤️🔥
Click the 🔗 in bio for more info!

THE TIME HAS COME‼️🔥Join us in welcoming our newest WaterFire Accelerate Cohort Artists: Kannetha Brown, Sydney Darrow, Emily Gray, Andrea Pascual, Adolfo Peralta, and Leiyana Simone Pereira.
The third cohort includes six prolific young artists spanning a variety of mediums including painting, printmaking, photography, textiles, and artists with experience with curatorial work. The new WaterFire Accelerate cohort embarks on their journey in September and will conclude with a group exhibition in July of 2024, while engaging in monthly meetings, events, and site visits.
We`re fired up with excitement to see what these 6 incredible artists embark on during their time with us at WaterFire. ❤️🔥
Click the 🔗 in bio for more info!
🔥 Join us for an epic summer BBQ cookout! 🌭🎨🎶
Mark your calendars for the WaterFire Accelerate x UNFI Café PVD COOKOUT on Friday, July 28th from 10am to 2pm! 🗓️
Get ready for mouthwatering grilled options (vegan too!), talented artist vendors showcasing their work, and our very own Accelerate Artist @dddenzellll spinning some sick summah fire as the DJ! 🎤🎨🎵
🌞 We`re activating the UNFI Café PVD`s outdoor patio into an artistic oasis with captivating art, body-moving music, exciting outdoor games, and delicious food that`ll make your taste buds dance! 🎉🎨♥️🍔
Soak in the fantastic vibes and connect with creative souls in an electrifying atmosphere. ⚡ Don`t miss out on this sensational experience and we`ll see you there! 😉🎉
#waterfireaccelerate #UNFICafePVD #summerbbq #artisticvibes #goodtimes

🔥 Join us for an epic summer BBQ cookout! 🌭🎨🎶
Mark your calendars for the WaterFire Accelerate x UNFI Café PVD COOKOUT on Friday, July 28th from 10am to 2pm! 🗓️
Get ready for mouthwatering grilled options (vegan too!), talented artist vendors showcasing their work, and our very own Accelerate Artist @dddenzellll spinning some sick summah fire as the DJ! 🎤🎨🎵
🌞 We`re activating the UNFI Café PVD`s outdoor patio into an artistic oasis with captivating art, body-moving music, exciting outdoor games, and delicious food that`ll make your taste buds dance! 🎉🎨♥️🍔
Soak in the fantastic vibes and connect with creative souls in an electrifying atmosphere. ⚡ Don`t miss out on this sensational experience and we`ll see you there! 😉🎉
#waterfireaccelerate #UNFICafePVD #summerbbq #artisticvibes #goodtimes
The final curtain call for the “If These Walls Could Talk” group exhibition is THIS upcoming Sunday, July 9th at 2pm
We will be concluding this incredible show with an artist talk from the 2022-23 WaterFire Accelerate cohort hosted by Michael Rose @michaelrosefineart of the PVD Art Club.
Learn from the artists themselves like @dddenzellll 💎about their thought and design process as they worked collaboratively to curate their own show. Ask them questions about their artistry and backgrounds. And most importantly, show them the love + support that they deserve! ❤️🔥
We hope to see you there!!!

The final curtain call for the “If These Walls Could Talk” group exhibition is THIS upcoming Sunday, July 9th at 2pm
We will be concluding this incredible show with an artist talk from the 2022-23 WaterFire Accelerate cohort hosted by Michael Rose @michaelrosefineart of the PVD Art Club.
Learn from the artists themselves like @dddenzellll 💎about their thought and design process as they worked collaboratively to curate their own show. Ask them questions about their artistry and backgrounds. And most importantly, show them the love + support that they deserve! ❤️🔥
We hope to see you there!!!