5Q: Leslie A. Gardner

GUIDING LIGHT: WaterFire Chairwoman Leslie A. Garner with Creative Artistic Director Barnaby Evans, left, and Managing Director Peter Mello. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
GUIDING LIGHT: WaterFire Chairwoman Leslie A. Garner with Creative Artistic Director Barnaby Evans, left, and Managing Director Peter Mello. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1 As WaterFire’s new board chairwoman, what are your top three priorities for the nonprofit?

First, to plan, fund and execute the renovation of the building at 475 Valley St. [in Providence] as the WaterFire Arts Center, to qualify for the matching funds from the state cultural facilities bond. Next, to grow the capacity of WaterFire to sustain the art form here … [and] to advocate to the state and city for funds to renew the Waterplace Riverwalk and basin and dredge the rivers.

2 What is the projected cost, timetable and target opening for the new arts center?

This project will transform our organization [and] the Valley Olneyville neighborhood. It will be WaterFire Providence’s first permanent home, as well as a multiuse arts venue that will also house a visitor and education center. We’ve hired Durkee Brown to help with design and cost estimates and are planning to begin the environmental clean up and official groundbreaking in mid-September. An opening is expected in late 2016.

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3 What does WaterFire add to the Rhode Island tourist scene, and how will the arts center enhance that?

WaterFire draws approximately 1 million visitors to downtown Providence each year. … It attracts an average of 50,000 people at each full fire. …

This art form creates $114 million annually in economic impact for local businesses; generates $9.3 million in tax revenue for the state and supports 1,294 jobs. The center will provide visitors a WaterFire experience on days when the event is not presented downtown and a multiuse arts center for the community.

4 What are the nonprofit’s highlights for 2015 and 2016?

In 2015, launching our growth campaign is an important step in creating an institution that will continue to make significant cultural and economic contributions to Providence and Rhode Island for future generations. In 2016, we will be opening up the WaterFire Arts Center to celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary.

5 How dependent is WaterFire on volunteers and social media?

While WaterFire is the vision of a single artist, it is the product of an incredibly dedicated corps of volunteers, with some involved for 10, 15 and even 20 years! We can always use more hands, so interested volunteers should call us and get involved. And if you’re a business leader, we can create some really fun team-building experiences. We have a pretty large social media following which we use to shine a positive light on Providence. •

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