Lorna York: Living Her Dream by Creating a Beautiful Space for Art and Inspiration

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Please note: You may notice a few sound fades in this episode due to the acoustics of the art gallery.

When we think about reinventing ourselves or starting over, especially later in life, it can feel daunting—like stepping into a world of unknowns with nothing but a dream to guide us. 

This week on The Change Effect, I sat down with Lorna York to talk about her incredible journey from humble beginnings and personal upheaval to becoming a powerhouse in the contemporary art scene. At 65, Lorna is the owner of Madison Gallery, a globally recognized art space in Solana Beach, California. Her story is one of passion, resilience, and the power of betting on yourself—even when you have to do it without a safety net.

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As owner of Madison Gallery, a Solana Beach-based contemporary art gallery known for introducing global artists to the Southern California art scene for the first time, Lorna built a $50 million business from scratch - no small feat in the ultra-competitive and male-dominated art industry. Proudly woman-owned and operated, Madison Gallery is globally renowned for their curatorial vision and personalized collector experience. As a leading voice in SoCal's contemporary art scene, Lorna's gallery has an established track-record as a platform for budding talent to launch their careers.

In this episode, Lorna and I discuss:

• How Lorna built a $50 million business and became a leading authority in contemporary art without a formal education, starting with nothing but determined passion.
• Navigating major life transitions
• The challenges Lorna faced breaking into and rising within the male-dominated art industry
• The importance of pursuing work that is driven by joy and passion rather than fear
• Cultivating community in and around the gallery:
• Embracing reinvention at any age, and why Lorna believes the “golden years” are the perfect time to be creative, energetic, and committed to making a difference.
• The role of mentorship, intuition, and believing in your vision even when success isn’t guaranteed.

Whether you’re on the brink of a major life change or simply looking for inspiration to fuel your own passions, Lorna’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and the willingness to step boldly into the unknown.

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