WaterFire Arts Center
The WaterFire Arts Center is a converted brick building in Providence's Valley Arts District, Rhode Island. Its high ceilings and large windows let in plenty of daylight, and the open spaces are designed for exhibitions and events.
The building once served as a factory and was later transformed into an arts center. This conversion began a few decades ago and reflects the neighborhood's shift from an industrial zone to a place for creativity.
The center houses studios and workshops where artists work and show their pieces. The rooms feel open and welcoming, and you often see people working together on projects or talking during exhibitions.
The center is located near the downtown area and is easy to reach on foot or by public transit. It is best visited during daytime or during evening events when the streets are active and the galleries are open.
The center sometimes serves as a backdrop for the WaterFire installations on the city's rivers, where bonfires are lit in the waterways. These events draw thousands of visitors, and the building is often incorporated into the celebrations.
Location: Providence
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Address: Valley Street
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-17:00; Thursday 10:00-21:00
Phone: +14012731155
Website: https://waterfire.org
GPS coordinates: 41.82884,-71.43309
Latest update: December 4, 2025 12:48
Providence sits in the northeastern United States and presents itself as a city that has developed over several centuries. The area around Benefit Street preserves colonial wooden houses with narrow windows and steep roofs. The Rhode Island State House stands on a hill with its white marble cladding and a dome visible from several neighborhoods. Brown University spreads across the East Side with brick buildings and open lawns, while the Rhode Island School of Design displays its collections in nearby gallery spaces. Downtown is crossed by two waterways that join shortly before reaching Narragansett Bay. Water Place Park lies along the waterfront with wide walkways and stone bridges. On summer evenings, WaterFire events take place here, with fire basins lit on the water and music echoing across the banks. A gondola service takes visitors across the water between the bridges. The Federal Hill neighborhood rises west of downtown and shows Italian grocery stores, bakeries and restaurants along the main avenue. Roger Williams Park extends to the south with ponds, a zoo and a botanical greenhouse. Thayer Street draws students with cafés, bookshops and small stores.
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