About us
Creating Community Through Art | Become a WaterFire Providence Volunteer
Each WaterFire Providence lighting needs the support of 150+ volunteers to bring the art to life. Our incredible team of volunteers accomplish an enormous variety of tasks from morning through evening, showcasing the Providence community’s tenacity. Some opportunities involve being on the water keeping fire’s brightly lit, some involve greeting visitors, and some revolve more around lifting, pulling, pushing and heaving WaterFire’s physical setup into readiness. Our event days are exciting and fast-paced, with an ever-present helping hand from staff and experience volunteers alike.
WaterFire Providence volunteers represent “everyman”, the traditional Greek Chorus and our communal spirit. Dressed in all black at nightfall, the volunteers create an unobtrusive and ceremonial communal presence, and partake in creating WaterFire. Black attire helps us be a part of the night, but faces are not masked so that we can celebrate the individuals who come together to build community.
Between lightings, there are more fun activities for volunteers. Potluck dinners, parties, outings, and projects go on throughout the year. On the off-season, volunteers help with boat building and repairs, mechanical tasks, fundraising, preparations for the next season, and the occasional special project like sewing or online research.
We welcome you to join us and discover just how much excitement and fun there is in producing such a unique and exciting event! Whether you are a “behind the scenes” kind of person, want to shine in a larger role, or you simply want to experience WaterFire from a new perspective, we would love for you to join us.
Upcoming events
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Lead Ambassador Training
WaterFire Arts Center, 475 Valley Street, Providence, RI, US- Why: To learn about being a Lead Ambassador, including all you need to know about WaterFire, and answering any frequently asked questions.
- Where: The Red Room at the WaterFire Arts Center
- What: To bring? Nothing!
- Who: Led by Manager of Volunteer Programs Gary Saint Laurent
Interested? Sign up at https://www.vomevolunteer.com/org/positions-details/waterfire-20providence/lead-20ambassador-20training/c0968892-7c9b-46f1-8e54-47b5082add44
1 attendee
WaterFire - Build Crew
Location not specified yetWant to be part of the Morning Build Crew?? Sign up here
Hop on a Woodboat, and help put together each work of art known as the Braziers of WaterFire. A peaceful, fun way to get your Morning going and come back later to see your hard work inspire thousands of people.1 attendee
Do you thrive in chaos?
129 Dyer St, Providence, RI, USSpecial Ops volunteers are one-part ceremony leaders and one-part crowd control -- and they get the best seat in the house. Our torch processions vary in size from 16 torches to a couple hundred, and they are always different. Some celebrate Chinese culture, some honor veterans or cancer survivors, and some remember local history. Being a Special Ops volunteer means ensuring these processions go off without a hitch.
1 attendee
Past events
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