The Steel Yard was founded in 2001 by Nick Bauta and Clay Rockefeller who purchased the former Providence Steel and Iron (PSI) complex in the conviction that the industrial site had not yet outlived its purpose. In collaboration with fellow artists and community members, Bauta and Rockefeller built a non‐profit around the simple idea that by reconnecting people to how things are made and teaching them about process, endless possibilities open up.
The founders and the earliest members of this community imagined a place that would serve as a sponsor and catalyst for innovative approaches to urban revitalization, arts promotion, workforce development, and community growth. The facility and surrounding site now accommodates classes and projects in welding, blacksmithing, ceramics, jewelry, glass casting and the foundry arts.
— Festival of Historic Houses Guidebook, 2013
Hey Clay,
I’m an art dealer who you met after you first bought the Yard, but I live in Florida now and we probably wouldn’t even recognize each other.
So here’s why I’m reaching out now. I have a friend that needs to move his art bronze foundry to a larger location, and he runs a full scale foundry that can pour pretty large bronzes. He just got a contract to cast 3 more this month, and his current space has the room but it’s tight. His orders have been growing so much that he knows he needs to expand and was looking at a place in Seekonk but the seller’s gotten to thinking he’s got my friend by the balls so he’s looking elsewhere. This would either be a long term lease (if it’s attractive enough), or outright purchase of up to 20,000 sq ft if there’s a piece that works that you’d cut off the Steel Yard. His business would connect your Foundry to it’s original roots and it will also attract local artists and schools because this guy is fairly young and connected. I remember that you had a big space you rented to (environmental scale) metal artists in a big building on the property a long time ago. I also remember that you had cranes set up in a few different spots on the property. I moved to Florida from Providence 15 years ago so haven’t seen your complex since except to grab some oysters. But I’ve been flying up north on business all this time because I’ve been working out of a 10k sq ft warehouse in Cranston all this time. I’m 73 yrs old but I’m not retired yet. So is there any part of your complex that might suit yours and my buddy’s purpose? Please advise. Thx. Best, Dennis