What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- WaterFire - Build CrewNeeds location
Want 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. - WaterFire FireTenderNeeds location
Want to be a WaterFire FireTender?? Sign up here
Fire Tender
Aboard a WaterFire Wood Boat and be a part of the art! You will receive a safety speech from the Captain/First Mate/Captain in Training to start. You will be part of the lighting procession, then every 20 minutes (give or take) you will place logs onto braziers to rekindle fires, reload firewood into the boat from under bridges, and work with fellow crew members to uphold the artistic integrity of the installation. This is a quiet performance, symbolizing the affect and influence of a community when individuals work together.
NOTE: You will be very close to the fires in order to gently place the logs into the brazier so they continue to burn throughout the evening.
