Julie Roberts has always lived with art in her heart. Long before she became the founder of The Palm Beach Art Collection, you could find her in the quiet of the night, brush in hand, painting until dawn. “I felt compelled to paint,” she recalls. The passion runs in her family—her father, though a chemist by profession, painted as a hobby and passed along that creative spark.

Julie’s path wasn’t a straight line into the art world. For years, she built a successful career as a financial executive with US Airways and Marriott, later serving on corporate boards and consulting for galleries. She even lent her expertise to Ibis as a two-term board member and treasurer, and today she continues to support the community as chair of the Hawks Landing ARB and as part of the Capital Investment Advisory Committee.

But it was a pivotal friendship with Palm Beach art icon Ellen Liman that sparked her new chapter. When Ellen lost the lease for her beloved Liman Gallery, she turned to Julie for advice. What began as a consulting project soon blossomed into a partnership. “Ellen convinced me to acquire her gallery inventory and start fulfilling her vision of an online gallery,” Julie explains. Together, in 2021, they launched The Palm Beach Art Collection on Artsy, the world’s largest art marketplace.

What started with Ellen’s collection and Julie’s own paintings has grown into something remarkable. Today, the Palm Beach Art Collection represents 23 artists and showcases over 650 works from more than 80 artists worldwide, with an inventory topping $5 million. From precise realism to sweeping abstraction, the collection offers something for every taste and budget.

Julie is quick to note that she doesn’t do it all alone. Alongside her curatorial vision, she works closely with Cheryl Friedenberg, also an Ibis resident, who advises the gallery on marketing and social media strategy, ensuring their artists and collections reach collectors across the globe. It’s this balance of creativity, business sense, and savvy outreach that has helped the Palm Beach Art Collection grow so quickly.

“Good art is never out of style,” Julie says, emphasizing that while color and style trends shift, her focus is on helping collectors fall in love with works they’ll cherish for years. Her curatorial approach is simple but passionate: refresh the inventory, bring in new voices, and spotlight pieces that truly take your breath away.

Some of those breathtaking moments, Julie admits, came when she first encountered the works of Fabio Modica, Iris Scott, and Rosso Emerald Crimson. Their vibrant, expressive pieces are among her personal favorites. Yet, she stresses, every artist she represents brings something unique and deeply meaningful.

Julie has also noticed the art world itself is changing. More young collectors are entering the market, and more buyers see art as both a passion and an investment. “We’re hearing a lot more about people collecting art as an asset class,” she shares. “The bonus is investing in something you love and can enjoy while it appreciates.”

Of course, there’s much more to Julie than her gallery. She and her husband Bill, a semi-retired attorney who spent over 30 years as a Government Contracts partner at a D.C. law firm, have called Ibis home since 1995. Both originally from Iowa, they discovered the community while vacationing in Florida with their families. After years of bringing their parents and children down for visits, they purchased their first home on Lakes Boulevard before eventually moving to Hawks Landing in 2004.

Family is at the heart of Julie’s story. Their daughter, Danielle, lives nearby in Palm Beach Gardens and owns Ciao Bella MedSpa. She’s also a busy mom to Niko (9) and Mateo (6), who love spending time at Ibis—especially Niko, who’s known in the family as a master lizard catcher. Their son Will lives in Virginia with his wife Shannon and their three boys, Liam (7), Ryan (5), and Greyson (19 months). Will, like his father, is an avid golfer with a 3 handicap, and manages a group of consultants at Deloitte. Holidays and summers often bring everyone back together at Ibis, where the cousins have created a tradition of attending Ibis camp.

When Julie and Bill aren’t with family, they’re enjoying their vibrant Hawks Landing neighborhood, golfing, and attending social events. “It’s like living in a resort, with something for everyone,” Julie says. “Our favorite memories here are all about family and coming together in Ibis.”

For Julie Roberts, art isn’t just about the canvas—it’s about connection. Between artists and collectors, between passion and business, and most of all, between family and community.