Project Overview

Founded in 1994 by Barnaby Evans, Providence Waterfire is a non-profit arts organization committed to revitalizing the urban experience in Providence, RI. Through its iconic Waterfire events, the organization engages the community and transforms the city.

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Over the years, it has expanded to feature fires along all three rivers of downtown Providence, along with the Waterfire Arts Center. With the original branding established in 1994, it became essential to develop an updated identity that reflects their growth and mission. ​​
 

Waterfire’s mission is to be the central location for arts in Rhode Island. It aspires to engage the community and provide a sensory experience that creatively transforms the city while valuing the contributions of all artists, and reflecting the true diversity of the contemporary art field, highlighting women artists, artists of color, and underrepresented creatives. ​​

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Visual Identity

• The new identity evolved into an abstract mark that captures the vibrant energy of fire and the essence of the event. Outlines of the fire logo serve as a container for photography taken during my numerous visits to Waterfire as a spectator and admirer of the beloved event.​

• The Waterfire logo evokes the essence of fire with abstract triangular shapes and two distinctively styled letter “E's,” combining sharp, angular typography to embody the energy of flames.

• This versatile branding system allows the abstract fire emblem to stand alone, expanding the identity's reach as a dynamic container for photography and other visuals.​

• The color palette contrasts warm and cool tones, deliberately chosen to reflect the water and fire elements central to the original brand identity and theme.​​​

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