Main Street Board member Kate Wick grew up in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and studied Art History at the then all-girls Connecticut College. She notes that the campus was quite isolated from downtown New London at that time. She is happy to see a big difference today in how college students are discovering, and spending time in, New London.

She has always had an interest in art and architecture. In the 80's and 90's she raised her two daughters in a home in Old Saybrook, which she personally designed. It was after designing her home that she focused on what to do with the home's surroundings and started to attend seminars at the New York Botanical Gardens. For 20 years, she enjoyed planting beautiful gardens around her home. She also attended the New York School of Interior Design and worked for a time for a designer in the City's Greenwich Village and later as a kitchen designer for Hanford Cabinets in Old Saybrook. During this time, Kate volunteered for many different organizations while her children were growing up. Kate says, "I enjoy being involved in the community where I live".

Lucky for New London Main Street, Kate continued this philosophy when she moved back to New London about five years ago. She purchased a lovely home in New London that was built in 1847. The bones of the home had been updated and were sound, so she felt confident in her purchase. She has worked hard on the house since then, and continues to be interested in functional but beautiful design. Kate offers her interior design expertise through Kate Wick Design. Her newest passion is weaving, and she has launched Kate Wick Weavings, designing and creating beautiful scarves, after taking courses with Lucienne Coiffman at the Guilford Handcraft Center.

Kate brings her talents and innate abilities to organize and systemize processes to her role as Main Street Design Committee Chair. She is also chairman of the Gateways Committee which is finishing up two of the four planned Gateways for Downtown. The Design Committee has grown and is thriving with the recent addition of several talented professionals. The committee is working on some exciting projects, which include a feasibility study for a seasonal ice rink at the redesigned Parade Plaza. We are grateful to Kate, not only for chairing the Design Committee, but also for her willingness to pitch in wherever needed.

Kate says, "I am thrilled with the progress we are seeing in the City's revitalization. We may take 2 steps backward from time to time, but we always seem to follow up with 3 steps forward. I'm happy to play a small role in what is happening in New London today". Kate's favorite spots in The District include Dev's on Bank and 2 Wives Pizza. The food stroll is her favorite Main Street event. Contact Kate if you're interested in learning more about the Design Committee!