The Beacon of Hope installation at the WaterFire Arts Center has concluded its initial phase. We are planning for a permanent memorial to be installed at the WaterFire Arts Center at some point in the Fall or in Spring 2021. Meanwhile, we will be sharing videos, photos, and written memories and reflections on the artwork here on our website in the coming days and weeks. Please stay tuned.

Thanks to all who attended the memorial in person over the last few weeks and special thanks to everyone who assisted with the lighting ceremony over the nearly 100 nights of remembering those lost to COVID-19 in Rhode Island.

"Gary, you never got to see WaterFire with us, and you would have loved it. I miss you dearly every day." All my love, Paul "I lost most of my family 30 yrs ago + understand about loss. I share your sorrow. To those affected by Covid19, wishing you peace, the courage to face the days ahead + memories to hold in your heart. My thoughts + prayers are with you." Joanie "To Roger and Lorraine, sending healing and love." Anonymous "To Judy and her laughter, her joy, and her strength. We love you." Love, Andrea, Dailyn, Melanie, Adam, and Vinny. "In gratitude to all those on the frontline in this epidemic. In gratitude to the art community who give us inspiration & hope. Thank you all!" Marybeth Blanchette "I'm proud to be a part of a strong WaterFire family. Together we grow stronger each day. #AloneTogether Through art may we all continue to heal, to know hope, and inspire each other each day. #Art4Impact" Laura Duclos "The second family that helped create the leader I have become." Jenn Kobza "To the WaterFire staff and volunteers that quickly became like family to me." Katherine Entwistle "Dedicated to the Light of Hope and buoyant Resilience" Duane Brouillette "Dad, your star will forever shine brightly in all of our lives. Miss you and love you always!" dedicated to Dan "Buppa" Mello - Peter, Luke, Joy, and Nana "In honor of "Somebody's Mom", Happy Mother's Day Fabby, Coins are great! Love, Fab" Margaret Mulligan "To all my hard-working co-workers - miss you all!!!" Marguerite Bernier "To all who bring art into our lives and the many ways they can move us and shape our days." Paul Kochanek "In gratitude to all the medical and essential personnel working during this difficult time. You are a beacon of light and hope. And thank you to WaterFire for the beautiful daily inspiration. You, too, are a beacon of light and hope." Kamila Barzykowski "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." Tim Blankenship "In memory of those on the frontline that have lost their battle with COVID19. May your sacrifices not be in vain." Jeffrey Meunier "Many thanks, everyone for all you are doing to bring joy to us stuck at home. I can't want to see WaterFire again. Be safe." Patti Heckman "Honoring the passing of all who died alone. Hoping for WaterFire's return later this season." Catherine Beyer Hurst "My heart breaks to see this season postponed. My favorite atmosphere and installation of all time, run by some of the friendliest people of all time. WaterFire is a place to find peace within the chaos, and that's what it'll be for many years to come." Jared Winslow "For my wonderful team at WaterFire" Devanshi Ved “The creation of works of art is the creation of the world.” Wassily Kandinsky “The artist’s vocation is to send light into the human heart.” Robert Schumann “Art is our chief means of breaking bread with the dead.” W. H. Auden 'Wishing for a speedy recovery for Ellen Galkin and all those affected by COVID-19" - David Galkin

WaterFire Providence, like all of us and so many nonprofits and businesses, has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. But even the coronavirus won’t stop us from creating art that celebrates life, binds our community together, and honors our heroes working on the front lines to keep us all safe. The WaterFire Beacon of Hope is a dynamic art installation where a single brazier illuminates the Main Hall of the WaterFire Arts Center representing a beacon of hope looking forward to the time when we can all gather together again in the heart of our capital. Once again we will experience WaterFire with our city filled with vibrant joy and discovery and our exhibitions and events again enlivening the WaterFire Arts Center. Surrounding the solitary brazier is a field of luminaria, each memorializing a Rhode Island soul lost to COVID-19. WaterFire’s own future is also significantly threatened by the coronavirus. Sponsorship of the WaterFire event downtown and event rental fees from the WaterFire Arts Center represent our main income. With physical distancing orders remaining in place for the foreseeable future, these sources of funding have effectively disappeared. Your donation will make the Beacon of Hope shine brighter and support WaterFire Providence through this very challenging period so we can rejoin you once again. More on the WaterFire Beacon of Hope: Become a part of the installation by adding a star to the night, Wish Upon a Star donation

Reimagining Ritual: Spiritual Leaders Bring Light into the Darkness, a guest post by Ashley Rappa and video by Ian Barnard from Leadership Rhode Island

A Humble but Meaningful Remembrance: A Night at the Beacon of Hope, a post by our staff member Melanie Steinbrecher and community member Reverend Kurt Walker sharing reflections of their Beacon of Hope participation

A collection of live recordings on our Vimeo channel of Beacon of Hope Luminaria Lighting Ceremonies

A collection of articles and press releases

Your donation will make the Beacon of Hope shine brighter and support WaterFire Providence through this very challenging period. Make A Donation

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