Co-Founder & Gallery Director
Shawn Lipe is Co-Founder and Gallery Director of Woodard Lipe Fine Art & Auction, where he works with collectors, estates, institutions, and individuals buying and selling fine art, antiques, and significant personal property. He provides expertise in art evaluation, collection management, consignment, and auction placement and is a Certified CAGA Appraiser.
An artist and collector himself, Shawn has been a practicing glass artist for more than 30 years and has participated in group and solo exhibitions. His background also includes research positions at the University of Miami, the Wolfsonian Museum, and Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
In 2012, Shawn and Suzanne Woodard founded The Refind Room, developing a business centered on exceptional furniture, art, antiques, and estate property. That experience ultimately led to the creation of Woodard Lipe Fine Art & Auction and its expanded focus on fine art, auctions, appraisals, and estate collections.
Shawn holds a master's degree in Environmental Chemistry and spent the earlier part of his career in scientific research, regulatory affairs, and consulting before turning his longstanding interest in art, design, and collecting into a full-time career.
Suzanne Woodard is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Woodard Lipe Fine Art & Auction, overseeing the firm's business operations, client services, estate relationships, and strategic development.
Suzanne co-founded The Refind Room with Shawn Lipe in 2012 and has spent more than a decade working with clients to evaluate, market, and sell fine furniture, decorative arts, original art, and estate property. Her experience in the secondary market gives her a practical understanding of value, marketability, presentation, and the different options available to clients when selling personal property.
At Woodard Lipe, Suzanne works closely with individuals, families, estate representatives, attorneys, and other advisors to develop thoughtful strategies for collections and estate property, whether through auction, consignment, private sale, or a combination of services.
Before entering the art and estate business, Suzanne practiced law for 20 years. She earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her legal and business background informs Woodard Lipe's emphasis on professionalism, transparency, organization, and client service.
Karla Schlueter
Client Relations & Special Collections
Karla Schlueter brings experience across art, interiors, jewelry, fashion, and luxury goods to her work with Woodard Lipe clients and collections.
Karla began her career in the jewelry industry, developing extensive knowledge of gemstones, fine jewelry, watches, gold, and silver. She later founded an interior design business focused on residential and commercial projects, with particular expertise in color, space planning, and art installation.
She joined The Refind Room in 2018, working with clients in design, sales, and consignment. At Woodard Lipe, Karla assists clients and helps evaluate and coordinate special collections, including fine jewelry, designer fashion and accessories, decorative objects, and other distinctive estate property.
Her broad knowledge of design and the luxury resale market makes her particularly valuable when working with collections that cross traditional categories.
Have a question about buying, selling, consigning, or appraising a collection?
Contact our team at 314-778-9000 or at info@woodardlipe.com