Meet Our Curators
Kathy Phillips | Chief Curator
With over 35 years of experience in surface design and creative direction, Kathy Phillips brings a curatorial eye shaped by decades at the intersection of fashion, interiors, and textile innovation. Her career spans roles as a Textile Designer, Fashion Illustrator, and Creative Director within leading corporate environments, where she shaped collections for both the home and lifestyle markets. She holds an MFA in Theatre Design, with a concentration in costumes, from the University of Connecticut, an academic foundation that sharpened her expertise in storytelling through pattern, texture, and form.
At Baxter Mill Archive, Kathy leads the stewardship of one of the country's most expansive textile archives by reviving centuries-old artistry through modern design lenses. Her passion lies in translating historical pattern work into compelling, contemporary collections that resonate with today’s designers, makers, and manufacturers. From conceptual storytelling to color forecasting, Kathy’s vision ensures that every design drawn from the archive is both timeless and editorially forward.
Ashlyn Beck | Creative Director
With over 25 years of experience leading creative initiatives, Ashlyn Beck brings a dynamic vision to her role as Creative Director at Baxter Mill Archive. Her background in surface design, photography, and visual marketing has established her as a multidisciplinary creative with a talent for crafting visually impactful work that tells a story and leaves a lasting impression.
Ashlyn’s approach is rooted in a love for diverse artistic mediums: illustration, painting, fiber art, photography, and textile design, all of which inform the archive’s bold and strategically aligned creative direction. Her work reflects a balance of artistry and intention, transforming ideas into compelling visual experiences that resonate across platforms.
Collaboration remains at the heart of Ashlyn’s process. By working closely with clients to understand their vision, she ensures that every project is not only visually striking but also deeply aligned with brand goals and market positioning. Under her leadership, Baxter Mill Archive’s creative identity continues to evolve with a spirit that is both contemporary and timeless.
