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Text by Tony DiMartino •
Styling by Kathy Curotto •
Photography by John Bessler
Embedded in the big brick building is a stone that reads, “Hartford Fire
Department 1920.” Inside, the only things on fire are the imaginations of the
people who work there.
Walter Wick is the photographer and visual mastermind
behind two beloved children’s books series, Can You See What I See? and, in
collaboration with Jean Marzollo, I Spy. His wife, Linda Cheverton Wick, manages
their business and oversees a striking collection of contemporary art.
Five
years ago, they moved from a farmhouse in rural Connecticut to a condominium in
Hartford, then began searching for a studio big enough for Walter’s work and
Linda’s art. “We wanted an environment where all of our interests could come
together,” Linda recalls. Eventually, they found an abandoned,
12,000-square-foot firehouse in an all-but-deserted neighborhood on the edge of
downtown Hartford, and bought it from the city for $20,000.
(a) Linda’s artful eye sees unity in disparate elements. In her office, a
painting by Jon Serl complements a ceramic collection, a tribal mask, and a
playful rabbit by Debbee Thibault, all atop a 19th-century American piece. (b) Materials and preliminary sketches for some of Walter’s models. (c) This vintage science text inspired Walter to write one of his favorite
books, A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder, winner of the Boston
Globe-Horn Book Award for best nonfiction in 1997. “It’s still used in schools,”
he says. “I’m really proud of it.” (d) Linda loves this painting by Julie
Heffernan, shown over a 19th-century farm table in the great room.Instead of opting for massive stretches of raw space, Linda created several
intimate rooms along flanking hallways. Rich, vivid color predominates. Despite
the building’s size, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, full of cozy nooks.
Guests are encouraged to explore. “We often host events for Big Brothers Big
Sisters and other organizations we believe in.” (e) The library’s hushed mood
is underscored with artwork by Varujan Boghosian. Included on the shelves are
antique children’s books, which Walter collects.
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