WaterFire to beautify city on off nights

PROVIDENCE – Aiming to beautify the downtown area, the Groden Network and WaterFire Providence are teaming for the Fire Flower Project, a new initiative that will see the braziers usually set ablaze for WaterFire filled with bouquets of flowers on weekdays between events.
Flowers for the project are being cultivated, tended and nurtured by persons with autism and related developmental disabilities who are served by the Cove Center, part of the Groden Network that provides day, vocational and residential programs for adults. During WaterFire events, the fire flower baskets will be arrayed throughout Waterplace Park as part of the celebration.
“WaterFire’s mission is to inspire the city of Providence and to build community through art,” said Barnaby Evans, WaterFire creator. “We have wanted to create the fire flowers for years and The Groden Network is the ideal partner for us.”
The project is the most ambitious beautification initiative undertaken by adult clients at the Cove Center, said Michael Smith, director of the vocational department. The Fogarty Foundation has awarded $2,000 to The Groden Network to help cover operational costs associated with the project.