WaterFire Providence

WaterFire Providence Creating Place and Building Community for Over 25 Years

WaterFire and the events that bring it to life on the rivers of Providence are truly open to all.
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WaterFire Providence, the award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on three rivers in downtown Providence, has been praised by Rhode Island residents and visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence's Renaissance. No ticket required no cover charge, there are no prerequisites, WaterFire does not draw lines. You come to be wowed by the spectacle; to see, feel

, and hear the flames. Imagination is kindled and surprises greet you around every corner. WaterFire is a place of quiet reflection where you become more open to chance encounters and conversation flourishes. Whatever you are seeking you can find it at WaterFire. WaterFire brings our community into the core of our city so that we can all rediscover the simple joys that bind us together. In the paper, on TV, in your news feed, the constant flow of information is almost overwhelming. The good things are nearly overwhelmed by scary and tragic sound bites, but we know that by working together we can conquer any challenge we face. WaterFire is built by its community and counts on our friends for support. Richard Daley, Former Mayor of Chicago famously said, “politicians don’t bring people together. Artists do.” In these problematic times, we must always remember, what we are looking for can be found in the people, places, and connections that inspire us to break through daily woes. All of this is thanks to the support of friends like you. Please consider making a donation to help keep the fires burning.

🔥 Join us for WaterFire's 500th lighting — Saturday, May 30, 7 PM to Midnight (fires lit at sunset, 8:12 PM) — made poss...
05/27/2026

🔥 Join us for WaterFire's 500th lighting — Saturday, May 30, 7 PM to Midnight (fires lit at sunset, 8:12 PM) — made possible thanks to our sponsor, Rhode Island School of Design !

This milestone evening marks 500 lightings since WaterFire's first spark on the Providence River in 1994. We're Turning the Tide, honoring how small actions create lasting change, and celebrating the artists and designers RISD nurtures each year. The lighting coincides with ✨ RISD's Commencement Weekend, welcoming families and friends from around the world to honor the Class of 2026.

Leading up to Saturday:
🎨 Explore the RISD Grad Show — a stunning 43,000-square-foot exhibition of master’s work across 19 departments — on view through May 30. 📍

✨ Don’t miss the Apparel Design Runway Show, debuting bold new collections this Wednesday, May 27 at 4 & 7 PM!

🛍️ Shop RISD Craft — over 100 alumni artists + designers — on Benefit Street, 11 AM–5 PM, May 30

We're proud to partner with RISD to illuminate this powerful moment for our community and for emerging artists everywhere.

Want to be part of history? 500 Milestone Torchbearers will walk into the basin this season and help bring the fires to life. Reserve your spot at the link in bio!

📸 Andrew Hsieh

RISDCraft RISDFashionShow Art4Impact

05/25/2026

“I had the absolute honor of being a torchbearer for WaterFire and it’s something I’ll never forget.” —Blake Johnson 🔥

This season, we’re inviting 500 community members to become Milestone Torchbearers in honor of WaterFire’s 500th lighting. Help ignite the fires and become part of a Rhode Island tradition that has brought people together for decades.

Whether you’ve loved WaterFire since childhood or are experiencing it for the first time, this is a powerful way to celebrate a milestone of your own while directly supporting WaterFire Providence.

🔥 Limited spots remain for this Saturday, May 30.
(( Link in bio to sign up! ))

04/30/2026

Carry the flame. 🔥
Join WaterFire’s 500th lighting season as a Milestone Torchbearer and be part of the tradition.

https://waterfire.org/your-torchbearer-moment-awaits/


PVD RhodeIsland
ArtInstallation PublicArt LiveArt
ThingsToDoRI NewEnglandEvents
Community BeTheLight CarryTheFlame

04/15/2026

April is Global Service Month, and today we teamed up with volunteers from Bank of America to help bring WaterFire to life!🔥

Together, we assembled fire starters and what we call “chimneys,” which help ignite the fires at each lighting - just one step in a preparation process that begins months in advance.

From prep work to the final spark, every detail is powered by many hands. We’re so grateful to these Bank of America volunteers for being part of what makes WaterFire possible!!💥

Will your group be part of the magic next? Reach out to [email protected] for more info‼️

04/08/2026

Behind the scenes of our buoys! The “hidden” work under the metal braziers that keeps everything afloat… aka how we bring fire to water! Made by yours truly, Cory and Levi from the productions team 🔥🌊

WaterFire belongs to all of us, and you proved that by coming together to raise more than $14,000 during 401Gives.Every ...
04/02/2026

WaterFire belongs to all of us, and you proved that by coming together to raise more than $14,000 during 401Gives.

Every gift helps to fuel something bigger than a single night on the river. You are sustaining a space that’s free, open, and shared. Where neighbors gather with visitors to reflect, celebrate, and find our own meaning in the glow of the fires.

This is what keeps our fires burning. A community that shows up, again and again.

We’re grateful. And we can’t wait to kick of our season, sharing our 500th lighting with all of you.

Thank you. 🔥

📷: Margo Zdravkovic

03/31/2026

Our staff answered the call as to why RI should support WaterFire this 401Gives! ❤️‍🔥☎️✨

‼️ 401Gives is LIVE! Help us reach our goal of $20,000! ‼️We’re starting the day strong with a match led by longtime Wat...
03/31/2026

‼️ 401Gives is LIVE! Help us reach our goal of $20,000! ‼️

We’re starting the day strong with a match led by longtime WaterFire volunteers Wayne and Catherine Fortier-Barnes. The first $2,500 in gifts will be matched dollar for dollar!

As we prepare to celebrate our 500th lighting in May, we need your help to keep our momentum strong. Whether you’ve been coming for years or were warmed by the glow of the braziers for the first time, your support during 401Gives ensures we can continue to inspire our communities through art. ❤️‍🔥🎨🔥

📷: .ugarte, .photos, and .somewhere

03/23/2026

Last chance to experience TIERRA FUTURA 🌿✨ Free + open to all - don’t miss it!

Here’s the final week:
Regular hours: Wed–Sun 10AM–5PM
💫Wed: Gallery open late for 7:20PM-10PM
💫Thurs: Final evening, closing 9PM
💫Fri: Regular hours
💫Sat: Regular hours + Dark Reads 11AM-5PM
💫Sun: 11AM-1PM workshop + closing reception 3PM-5PM

TIERRA FUTURA is both a solo exhibition by Shey Rivera Ríos and a powerful group exhibition featuring 22 Boricua artists from Borikén (Puerto Rico) and its diasporas. This marks the first contemporary exhibition in over a decade in New England dedicated entirely to Puerto Rican artists.

Made possible with support from

More info:
Waterfire.org/tierrafutura
Studioloba.com/tierrafutura


Artists include‼️
anabel.vazquez.rodriguez .cosme .perez_studio .habichuela .dore .art

02/18/2026

Open today both in the store + gallery until 5pm! Stop by, spend some time with the work, and take it in before it’s gone on 3/1!

Featuring work by:
Dominic Cunningham
Chantel Bollinger
Decatur Foster
Prinshu Gautam
David Vuong
Nadia Nazar
Kit Grindeland

Address

4 North Main Street
Providence, RI
02903

Telephone

+14012731155

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