Providence Steel Yard Re-Opens Following Renovations
GoLocalProv Business Team
Providence Steel Yard Re-Opens Following Renovations
See the Groundbreaking Ceremony Below
The building is now open year-round, heated and features an upgraded industrial arts studio.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“As a community of artists and craftspeople, and especially industrial artists and craftspeople, we are keenly aware of the environmental cost of self-expression. At the Steel Yard we believe it is our responsibility to understand the environmental impacts of our work and to make sustainable choices whenever possible, so with special thanks to Newport Renewables, Kite Architects and the Renewable Energy Fund at Commerce RI, we’ve completed plans for the Steel Yard’s 50KW solar canopy that will be installed later this year,” said Howie Sneider, Executive Director of the Steel Yard.
The renovations were made possible by a Cultural Facilities grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.
“RISCA is honored to support The Steel Yard, and particularly its Studio Restoration project. In 2014, when the people of Rhode Island overwhelmingly supported a bond initiative for cultural capital improvements, this was what they envisioned. An exemplary cultural organization – The Steel Yard – investing in capital improvements to their studios to make them work better and more efficiently. Today we see the future of The Steel Yard reflected in this project, and wish them every success,” said Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.
The Renovations
The 12,000 square foot building features heat, ventilation and an upgraded industrial arts studio.
The workspace enables community access to equipment for welding, blacksmithing, jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, and the foundry arts.
The Steel Yard also brought back the Public Projects department.
“Projects that we’ve developed with the Steel Yard have succeeded in celebrating the unique culture and character of different neighborhoods in Bristol, while improving the bikeability and walkability of the streets. These functional public sculptures have contributed to beautifying the town, and have become iconic placemaking for the neighborhoods. Having these amenities all support a sense of community identity and pride,” said Diane Williamson, Director of Community Development for the Town of Bristol.