WASHINGTON TRUST PRESENTS
THE RISING STARS OF FIRSTWORKS
-Summer Concert Series Celebrates the Region's Young Talent-

PROVIDENCE, RI - On Friday, July 10, 2009, Washington Trust and FirstWorks, a non-profit arts organization, will launch a FREE summer lunchtime concert series to celebrate the rising stars of Rhode Island's arts community. Representing Washington Trust and FirstWorks' shared commitment to community and artistic excellence, this five-week series spotlights the diverse talents of our region's most inspiring young performers, including vocalists, dancers and musicians. [A full series schedule with performer bios follows below.]

The summer lunchtime concert series will take place at noon on consecutive Fridays: July 10, 17, 24, 31, with the series finale on August 7, at Washington Trust branch in the financial district, downtown Providence, at the intersection of Westminster and Orange Streets. For information, contact FirstWorks at 401-421-4278, info@first-works.org , or visit www.first-works.org.

Connecting art with audiences throughout the region, FirstWorks presents year-round 'firsts' in the arts through world-class arts programming and educational outreach. FirstWorks' innovative programming emphasizes artistic excellence, affordability, and community engagement.

"FirstWorks is thrilled to invite all of Providence to Washington Trust to celebrate together the next wave of talent rising up in our community," said Kathleen Pletcher, executive artistic director of FirstWorks. "Engaging our downcity neighbors to gather at Washington Trust in the company of these inspiring young performers truly resonates with our mission to connect art with audiences."

Washington Trust is recognized as a community leader through its award winning community giving and employee volunteerism programs. Washington Trust gives more than $600,000 annually to help non-profit organizations achieve their mission, through corporate sponsorships and charitable giving. The Bank's employees volunteer more than 13,000 hours of service each year in the Bank's communities, serving in such leadership roles as board members, committee chairs, coaches, and mentors.

"Rhode Island has a wonderful pool of talented young artists and we're pleased to partner with FirstWorks to spotlight Rhode Island's best," said Elizabeth B. Eckel, Washington Trust senior vice president, marketing and investor relations. "It is a great opportunity for the young artists to showcase their talents to the professional community in Providence."

WASHINGTON TRUST PRESENTS
THE RISING STARS OF FIRSTWORKS
"RISING STARS" SUMMER CONCERT SERIES SCHEDULE

Friday, July 10, noon
Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School Youth Jazz Combo

Playing jazz standards with a healthy dose of improvisation, this high-energy ensemble of talented high school jazz musicians will kick-off the five-week series with an enthusiastic blast of funk and fusion. Featuring drum, bass, keyboards, guitar, and a horn section, the group has appeared previously with FirstWorks as part of their family-friendly programming.

Friday, July 17, noon
Voces de los Andes

Voces de los Andes celebrates the rich musical tradition of Bolivia and the Andean region of South America, featuring the haunting and evocative sound of the panpipes. This family ensemble of musicians is led by Bolivian master "charango" player and singer Silvio Cuellar and includes five children between the ages of 10 and 17. The ensemble performed last fall as guest artists in the FirstWorks festival.

Friday, July 24, noon
JUMP!

JUMP! gives dedicated young dancers ages 8-18 the opportunity to create cutting-edge choreography that speaks to families everywhere. Showcasing innovative work that springs entirely from the fertile imaginations of these talented young artists, JUMP! regularly performs throughout greater Providence, and has appeared with FirstWorks as part of their family-friendly programming.

Friday, July 31, noon
Ocean State Children's Choir

The Ocean State Children's Choir is a choral group with more than twenty youth singers aged 7 to 17. Under the direction of native Rhode Islander Paul Mancini Sr., the choir has become a permanent fixture on Rhode Island's artistic landscape; performing traditional choral arrangements at regional schools, sporting events, and festivals.

August 7
Masti

After learning to perform a traditional Indian dance with live flames in their hands in their senior year of high school, this group of eight friends dedicated themselves to dance. They have such fun dancing and laughing together that they named their group "Masti," a Hindi word meaning "mischief and fun". Though the dancers are now college students, they come together every summer in their home state of Rhode Island to perform.

"Washington Trust Presents The Rising Stars of FirstWorks" summer lunchtime concert series is presented by FirstWorks with support from Washington Trust

About FirstWorks
FirstWorks connects art with audiences year-round through the exceptional vitality of artists' first appearances, children's first experiences with performance and the premiering of new works. Beginning with an unprecedented collaboration with Providence's Department of Art, Culture & Tourism, FirstWorks was launched in 2004 as a vehicle to build community, reach underserved audiences, and present extraordinary arts programs that elevate Providence's national profile. In the five years since, FirstWorks has produced nine groundbreaking arts festivals, attracted 55,000 participants, and engaged more than 100 nonprofit community organizations and schools. Coming up in September 2009, the annual FirstWorks Festival marks its sixth year with extraordinary cultural firsts, including: celebrated icons of music & the moving image, cutting-edge digital arts, the legacy of American masters and more. Visit www.first-works.org to learn more.

About Washington Trust
The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $2.9 billion corporation headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including business banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services, through its offices located in Rhode Island, southeastern Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Corporation's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.Corporation's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.