As a WaterFire intern I find it rewarding that I am not only helping to produce art for the public, but that I am contributing to the betterment of the city as well. In my experience as a Master’s Candidate for community organizing I have learned that the people behind the scenes are not only invested in the event’s success, but also in the representation and relationships that are cultivated from it. Public spaces like the Providence Riverfront are not made for people: people make them. People who populate a public space are a reflection of its society. Any city or any state can be judged (somewhat) on the use of its public spaces. What goes on within a public space and how people utilize it speaks volumes about the sense of community fostered in that area.

Continue Reading...