WaterFire Creator to Discuss Plans for Peconic River Project
Renaissance Downtowns, the master developer for Riverside Rediscovered, is hosting a conversation this Saturday evening with artist Barnaby Evans, the creator of WaterFire, an international arts happening that he hopes to bring to the Peconic River.
The discussion will be held at Stony Brook Southampton this Saturday, June 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Chancellor’s Hall.
WaterFire is a fire sculpture installation first installed as part of Providence, Rhode Island‘s 1994 First Night on New Year’s Eve. Since then, more than 10 million visitors have come to see the fires along the Providence River, and the event is credited with being a major force behind the revitalization of the city.
Mr. Evans has since created WaterFire installations in Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Houston, Singapore and Rome. He is planning a project for Paris but is first turning his attention to WaterFire along the Peconic River.
Originally trained as a biologist and environmental scientist, Mr. Evans has worked exclusively as an artist for 25 years, creating site-specific installations, garden and architectural designs and photography and film projects.
Mr. Evan’s advisor, Lisa Lowenstein, has been working with both Southampton and Riverhead towns, Suffolk County and East End Arts on a project that could span both sides of the Peconic River. She and representatives from other involved agencies will also join in the discussion.
Saturday’s forum is free and open to the public, but organizers are asking that attendees RSVP by email to jfitzgerald@southamptontownny.gov or by calling 631.283.6055.
