For Lorna York, art does much more than simply sit on a wall looking aesthetically pleasing. Or rather, that is exactly what it does, but it’s the effect of that on the human mind that she said can be truly remarkable. “So many studies have shown that certain forms of music or artwork have healing properties,” she said. “That said, not all artwork will do that. Art being painted by say, a heroin addict, won’t have healing properties.” York, owner of Madison Gallery on Prospect Street, doesn’t just wax sentimental about the various qualities art offers outside of its obvious visual ones. She actually puts her money where her mouth is. On Nov. 3 — at the Top Docs gala at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla — York will announce the recipient of the third annual Healing Art Fund, which bestows on the winning medical facility a work of art to display on its walls. The concept of the Healing Art Fund is that each year, York donates to one facility a painting that she feels “has higher properties of healing.” “As an art dealer, I hope to give back,” she said. “A lot of times you go into a [medical] institution with stale walls, because the budget got cut right about there when art would have been added. I want to donate artwork that has healing properties, but I’m not doing it for monetary gain. It’s just primarily for healing.” The idea for the fund, York said, came about when the economy hit rock bottom. Instead of throwing “just another cocktail party” or writing a check to support various organizations in need, York wanted to “bring communities together.” The Top Docs gala, which recognizes San Diego’s top doctors as voted on in San Diego Magazine, provided the perfect backdrop for York’s philanthropic aspirations. “I wanted to show how these doctors could do something for their community and give back,” she said. “If you’re involved in healing us, let’s make a change to these medical facilities that you’re working in. I want them to give back, to get actively involved. We’re creating a higher vibration in our medical facilities.” Last year, UCSD’s Moores Cancer Center won a work by artist Luc Leestemaker, York’s friend and colleague who passed away in May. Medical professionals countywide await anxiously to hear who will be this year’s recipient. Madison Gallery, located at 1020 Prospect St. Suite 130, is currently featuring, among others, work by Korean artist Jaehyo Lee. Lee’s large-scale wood and metal sculptures reflect elements found in nature. Starting on Nov. 7, the gallery will feature the work of Lori Cozen-Geller, whose minimalist pieces are built with automotive paint on laminate, wood, fiberglass and metals. For more information on the gallery or the Healing Art Fund, visit www.madisongalleries.com.
