RI Foundation awards grant to expand Watchemocket Sculpture Garden Projects in Barrington, Bristol and Warren also received funding

Providence, RI – The Rhode Island Foundation announced that a Warren nonprofit is among 30 organizations that will share nearly $225,000 in grants to fund community-building projects across the state. The Community Grants program will support work ranging from creating performance spaces to restoring playgrounds.

“Initiatives like this would not be possible but for the foresight of those who came before us, the donors who generously invest in our state and the nonprofits that transform those resources into action,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation.

The Foundation received nearly 130 proposals; 30 received funding, including five in the East Bay. Most of the work is expected to be underway before the end of the year.

“Our grants will create places to gather, build relationships and inspire new collaborations that will strengthen community connections all over Rhode Island,” said Steinberg.

The East Providence Arts Council received $8,000 to install landscaping, seating walls and walking paths at the Watchemocket Sculpture Garden in partnership with the City of East Providence. The centerpiece of the park is a “Rigging,” a sculpture funded with a grant from the inaugural round of Community Grants last year.

“Public art will bring the community together, creating fellowship and a sense of togetherness. This site off the East Bay Bike Path is a perfect location for bringing people together,” said Rick Lawson, chairman.

“Landscape architect Kevin Alverson designed the park and the Public Works Department will grade the site, prepare the walking path and install concrete pads for future sculptures that will fill out the park. Our very enthusiastic volunteers will be the laborers for the project,” he said.

Other local grant recipients include:

The Bristol Art Museum received $8,000 to produce a summer-long Portuguese Arts and Culture Project. The centerpiece is an exhibit in the Museum’s main galleries featuring Portuguese art, which will be complemented by a program of classes, lectures and workshops.

Friends of the Bay Spring Community Center in Barrington received $5,847 to support the installation of a permanent outdoor event and performance space in partnership with the Town of Barrington. The work will include erecting a 16’x8’ outdoor stage and 16’x8’ boathouse-style shed to store tables and other outdoor equipment.

Historic Warren Armory received $3,800 to restore and replicate an historic, circa 1882 painting titled “Indian Chief” that was uncovered during the process of restoring the facility’s former drill hall. The restored original will remain on the north side of the stage, while a newly commissioned, but historically accurate, reproduction will be placed on the south side of the stage.

The Town of Warren received $7,500 to revitalize the Baker Street Playground off Water Street. The improvements will include adding gates to the existing fencing, a trash and recycling center, a preschool-appropriate play structure, seating, a bike rack and a security camera.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2016, the Foundation awarded a record $45 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.