Local Art Meets Antique Treasures at June House Edina

For local artist Deb Schroeder , making the first stroke on a blank canvas always takes a little bit of courage. That is why she likes to dance in her studio before painting.

“Most of the time I love to turn on music,” Schroeder says, “And I’ve been known to dance, too. It’s like, ‘how do I get the vibe going?’”

Creative inspiration has never been in short supply for Schroeder. The mother of three grew up watching her own mother and grandmother explore a variety of artistic mediums, from painting to floral arranging to refinishing furniture. After her third and youngest child moved out of the house, Schroeder wasted little time. Picking up a camera and a paintbrush, she began partnering with a range of local events and businesses; auctioning off her paintings at M Health Fairview’s annual FashionFest , working as a photographer for Miss Minnesota USA, and even seeing her photos published in MN Yoga + Life Magazine.

When Schroeder heard about the opening of June House, a new luxury home goods shop in Edina that sources relics from around the globe, she was instantly inspired. Schroeder arranged a meeting with the store’s owner, California native Ariel Gravelle to chat about showcasing her artwork.

“She’s so lovely,” Schroeder says of Gravelle. “She’s traveled all around the world and handpicked these raw, natural materials that have turned into the most unique pieces.”

For Gravelle, it was a serendipitous moment. The creative exchange sparked the desire to support local artists, giving way to a regular “featured artist” series at June House. “It’s a great way for artists to showcase their work in a residential looking setting, and just bring the community together to enjoy what they’ve created,” says Gravelle.

The series kicked off Friday at June House with its first showcase of Schroeder’s artwork. That night, Gravelle and Schroeder invited me into the space to enjoy some wine and cheese and chat about each of their artistic endeavors.

“I love the juxtaposition of pairing an antique piece with modern art,” says Gravelle, as we admire a cool-toned abstract canvas by Schroeder, set against the backdrop of June House’s vintage Haveli door cabinet, sourced from India. The earthy, rustic tones of both Schroeder’s art and June House’s antiques were a natural complement.

Bearing both an antique character and a modern refinement, June House’s decor and furniture pieces are works of art themselves. Traveling around the globe, Gravelle and her team source raw materials and breathe new life into them, sending them overseas to be refurbished by hand. The process results in pieces with compelling stories—like a lamp made from pulleys found in an antique yard in India, or a dining table made from old Chinese elmwood panels.

As I toured the space, which Gravelle had inconspicuously staged with artworks by Schroeder, I could tell that the two women had a lot in common. For one, they are both deeply inspired by their love for travel and adventure. And for another, they have the ability to see art in ordinary things.

Like a tree branch, which Schroeder used as the tool used to create one of her abstract canvas pieces, “Branching Out.” She later showed me two similar pieces that were created with leaves she had found in her yard. “Like having a piece of Minnesota on your wall,” she tells me.

Photo by Emma Enebak

For Gravelle, this might be a 17th-century iron tea kettle from China, which makes a lovely decor piece when staged against the warm tones of a wooden bookshelf. Or maybe it’s the former doors to a manor house in India, which with careful craftsmanship have been repurposed into refined cabinetry for a modern home.

To close the evening, Schroeder walked me through a few of her favorite pieces, an even mix of abstract and landscape works, many of which were inspired by her travels to places like Switzerland, Germany, Russia, and Canada.

“Deb uses some really beautiful soft palates,” says Gravelle. “Some of her landscapes feel a little like Amber Interiors to me, which is really on trend right now.”

If you’re looking to support local artists, attend a future featured artist event at June House, and stay up to date with Schroeder’s artwork on her Instagram page.

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