Providence arts collective the Steel Yard will be hosting a party on Friday, August 15, to celebrate their 10th birthday, and the event will feature a lot of what makes the city great: arts, music, and food!
Musical entertainment will be provided by some of the finest musical acts in the Ocean State, including rockers Atlantic Thrills, retro synth-pop act 1-800-Band, Thirsty Music, DJ Just Jam and others. The event will also feature local food trucks, beer and wine, and special arts installations. The event will be sponsored by Fete Music, the City of Providence Department of Arts Culture and Tourism, Headlight Hotel, Thirsty Music, RISCA and Fire Tower Engineering
Built in 1902, the Providence Steel and Iron building was in business for almost 100 years before it closed its doors. The Steel Yard was founded when entrepreneurs Clay Rockefeller and Nick Bauta bought out the defunct steel fabrication factory when they didn’t want to see the space go to waste.
A new roster of Steel Yard events is set to begin in September. You can sign up for courses in ceramics, jewelry, welding and even blacksmithing, for those who’ve been watching too much “Game of Thrones.” These classes include A Weekend with the Romans: Making a Granulated Pendant, Mad Science Welding, and Full Spectrum Handbuilding, The courses have an average of five to eight students, and are for people of all artistic skill levels. For the more experienced artisan, the Steel Yard offers an Open Studio every Sunday, and residency programs for ceramics and the foundry.
According to their mission statement, the Steel Yard aims to “act as a catalyst in the creative revitalization of the industrial valley district of Providence” and “cultivate an environment of experimentation.”
The steel works doesn’t only function as an arts center; it’s a great space with lots of room that the staff rents out for weddings, fundraisers and other community events.
If you’re already involved with the Steel Yard, you know it’s a great boon to the arts community. But if you’ve never been there, this is a good chance to learn what they’re all about, take in some local entertainment or sign up for a class. In attendance will be many past and current students and instructors who will be happy to talk about their experiences. This party is a great introduction to this hidden gem of a space where you can take steps to discover the creative genius inside you!
Steel Yard’s 10th anniversary celebration will be held on August 15 (rain date August 16) at the Steel Yard, located at 27 Sims Ave in Providence. General admission is $10, admission with a 10th anniversary commemorative gift is $20, and both plus a tax deductible donation is $50. Opening remarks begin at 7:30pm, with entertainment to follow.
the article states that the event this Saturday but the 15th is actually Friday. I believe that saturday is the rain date