WaterFire Providence(tm) is an independent, non-profit organization providing one of the most recognizable and anticipated festivals in New England.
Their mission is to “….inspire the City of Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience, fostering community engagement and creatively transforming the city for all to enjoy.”
The award-winning sculptures by Barnaby Evans are installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence. It has been praised by Rhode Island residents and international visitors alike as a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance.
WaterFire’s sensory experience includes eighty sparkling bonfires, flickering firelight on the arched bridges, the silhouettes of the firetenders passing by the flames, the torch-lit vessels traveling down the river, and the enchanting music from around the world.
To date WaterFire has captured the imagination of over ten million visitors, bringing life to the downtown, and becoming a large part of the revitalization of Rhode Island’s capital city.
Today, WaterFire continues to grow and gain in popularity. Barnaby Evans created First Fire in 1994 as a commission to celebrate the tenth anniversary of First Night Providence.
In June 1996, Evans created “Second Fire” for the International Sculpture Conference where it became the gathering place for thousands of participants from all over the world.
Ardent art supporters convinced Evans to create an on-going fire installation. They started a grass-roots effort to establish WaterFire as a non-profit arts organization. Selected dates for exhibition will be listed in late spring for the 2014 season.