By Evelisa Natasha Genova
Avalon Ashley Bellos is a dynamic gallerist, artist broker, ambassador, and all-around powerhouse who uses her expertise to uplift women and transform the art world. Raised in Dallas, Texas, in an environment of bold design and high expectations, Avalon was shaped by both creativity and ambition. After starting her career in law and politics, she ultimately found her calling in the art world, where learning and transformation have been key to her journey. Some of the key ways they have been a part of her story include:
Having Resilience and adaptability, especially as a woman of color navigating elite spaces, Avalon learned to assert her presence with confidence and grace.
Shifting purpose which became clear when she transitioned from law to the art world, where she really found an ability to advocate for causes and creators she believes in.
Empowerment - that advocate heart never left her, and Avalon’s work now focuses on creating opportunities for women across industries to thrive, with artists at the center to inspire and uplift.
Full episode can be heard on the podcast Little Transformations Everywhere on Apple and Spotify
"My dad wanted me to understand that I had an essential power as a woman, and that I was capable of anything."
Avalon was raised by parents with personality. Her father was an attorney and envisioned a particular path for Avalon. Pushing her toward a career in law meant that she could break barriers in a male-dominated field. “My dad wanted me to understand that I had an essential power as a woman and that I was capable of anything,” Avalon reflects. Following his lead, she attended Georgetown Law School and worked with organizations like the National Women’s Political Caucus and Emily’s List. But something was missing. “I felt restricted, even in those righteous spaces,” she admits.
"I realized I didn’t want to just change laws—I wanted to change hearts."
As a woman of color in predominantly white, elite environments, Avalon felt she had to constantly navigate her presence and assert her value - which, in fact, created an impeccable can-do mindset. “SMU was an elite private university, primarily very wealthy and very white. I was often the only person of color in my group of friends,” she says. Avalon was shaped to be socially vigilant and powerful. “It helped me learn how to move in different areas of life, almost like a chameleon, and to be comfortable in rooms where people of my color were rarely seen.”
"Navigating elite spaces as a woman of color taught me resilience and the power of self-assurance."
With her ability to navigate these spaces, Avalon however couldn’t ignore a growing feeling that she was on the wrong path. And when she started painting in college, she met a friend who lived life with unapologetic authenticity. “Legislation is one way to change the world, but [as I saw my friend] I realized I could legislate the soul through art,” Avalon says. She sold her first collection, Highly Stylized Nudes Expressing Neo Feminism, and felt a spark she hadn’t found in law. “I realized then that it was another way of legislation—legislation of the soul,”.
"The human condition is enriched by art—take that away, and you’re left with a robot.
With the passing of her father, Avalon then decided to make a bold move. She left her career in Washington, D.C., and returned to Texas, where she found work as an art dealer on a luxury cruise line. It was a world away from the political sphere, but it felt right. “It was a way to see the world,” she says. Onboard, she combined her love for art and luxury, helping people discover the beauty in art and, by extension, in themselves. “The human condition is enriched by art—take that away, and you’re left with a robot,” she notes.
"I learned that art can be a form of activism—it’s a way to communicate ideas that words can’t capture."
Of course, the elephant in the room is the leap from the world of law to the art world. And Avalon certainly had her share of deep doubt, questioning her worth and direction, particularly as a woman of color in spaces where she often felt out of place. “Yet even the strongest people have moments where they don’t believe in themselves,” she says. What helped her through was resilience and the support of strong women around her. “Surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference when you’re going through tough times,” she adds.
"You have to excavate daily—everything you need is already within you."
Now, Avalon is channeling her experiences into something even bigger. She’s using her platform in the art world to uplift others, especially women. “My work now - The Empowered Feminine - is about leveraging power for something positive, for women and art,” she explains. This isn’t just about selling luxury; it’s about creating opportunities for people to experience the transformative power of art and to see themselves in new, empowering ways.
"Every challenge I faced made me stronger, and now I use that strength to help others find their own power."
“Being an entrepreneur as a woman is powerful and exciting—it’s about seeing your own magic reflected back at you,” The attention we can give to our instinct and our true joy is a chance to give our knowledge, skills, and training a north star. You then don’t just improve your own life—you uplift the world around you. Whether selling a masterpiece or mentoring a future leader, Avalon’s impact is clear: she’s helping others see their potential and encouraging them, to continue the legacy that her father gave to her. And that is a legacy that is timeless, truly embodying power from the heart and soul - one beautiful piece at a time.