Def Leppard's Rick Allen to return to Bethesda today at noon

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen will bring his newest art exhibit to Bethesda today, February 18. Allen's show will be at the Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall today from noon until 3:00 PM.

The 2017 exhibit features pieces from his Drums for Peace and Art to Wear jewelry collections. Purchase something for a chance to meet a rock legend. Entry is free. Wentworth Gallery is located on Level 2 of the mall, right outside of Nordstrom.

To attend, RSVP by calling (301) 365-3270.

7101 Democracy Boulevard

Westfield Montgomery Mall

Def Leppard's Rick Allen at Wentworth Gallery in Bethesda (Photos)

Celebrity sighting!
Rick Allen greets fans at Wentworth Gallery
Saturday at Westfield Montgomery Mall

A packed house greeted Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen Saturday afternoon at Wentworth Gallery in Bethesda, which hosted an exhibit of his fine art titled, "Angels and Icons." There was a long RSVP list to start with. But a sign announcing the presence of a member of Def Leppard (on the busiest shopping day of the week, no less) naturally drew walk-ins at the gallery, which is in Westfield Montgomery Mall. The crowd included at least one local celebrity, Fox 5's Steve Chenevey.

Montgomery County Police officers
were on hand to provide security for Allen

Allen's works took up the entire
gallery's wall space

Allen (center) meets his fans

While full VIP meet-and-greets were granted to those who purchased Allen's works, the rock star was gracious enough to remain afterward to greet fans who stood for the full 3 hour show. Of course, free beer and wine helped them pass the time.

The packed house included Fox 5
anchorman Steve Chenevey (right)

British phone booths

The U.S. Capitol (Allen now lives in
America)

America and the U.K. are major
themes in Allen's works

These smaller works were under $800

Allen tackles the complexities of
America in several variations on
this theme, which centers
on his hand

LED lights on Allen's drumstick tip
capture every strike in a live performance
of the Hysteria hit, "Rocket"

You can see Allen's face at the top center,
from the original, long-exposure photograph
that provides the basis for this mixed-media
piece on canvas, titled, "RhythMantra"

There was also a lot of detail to examine in Allen's mixed-media on canvas art - at least while they remained on the wall. Many pieces were snapped up by fans, with the lowest priced works being just under $800. You can still purchase works from the exhibit from those that remain at the gallery. Call 301-365-3270, or visit their website for more details.

This London scene, like the Capitol painting,
sold at the show yesterday

A younger Joe Elliott performs on a flatscreen
near some of Allen's works in the lobby of the
Wentworth Gallery

America...

...and back to the U.K, to Def Leppard's
birthplace of Sheffield

A portion of each painting's proceeds went to Project Resiliency's Warrior Resiliency program. The program, co-founded by Allen and his wife, Lauren Monroe, helps wounded servicemembers through workshops, retreats and holistic care. Allen does more than lend his name to the charity. He is an active participant. While he did not trumpet it himself at yesterday's event, Allen reportedly spent many hours visiting with wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed on Friday.

A Wentworth employee brings down a
work based on another drum performance,

which one lucky fan would
be taking home

Going...

...going...

...gone

After taking time to meet
with every fan, Allen made
an exit for his second show,
at the Wentworth Gallery
in Tysons Corner

Heading out the door
toward Nordstrom,

the police escort made it
worthy of a rock star exit

Elvis has left the building...

...but not before posing for a photo
with the world's biggest Def Leppard fan

DEF LEPPARD DRUMMER RICK ALLEN TO APPEAR IN BETHESDA MARCH 21

Buddha of Inspiration: A Study in Orange
by Rick Allen

Rick Allen, drummer for the legendary Def Leppard, will appear Saturday, March 21 from noon to 3:00 PM at Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall. He will be exhibiting a collection of his fine art at the Bethesda gallery entitled, "Rick Allen: Angels and Icons."

Allen's art creation process is as innovative as his drumming technique. Working in the mediums of photography, light art and painting, he sometimes creates abstract works by filming his playing while using LED lights on the drumstick tip. Using long exposures, the lights create patterns that are also unique to the music that was being performed. 

His dramatic life story has brought him to the DC area before. As you may know - and as my falling-apart copy of Def Leppard: Animal Instinct recounts - Allen lost an arm in a car wreck at the height of the band's Pyromania-era success. Allen says a visit with wounded veterans at Walter Reed helped him "come to terms" with that traumatic event more than 20 years later. Rather than retire, he redefined what could be done on the drums with new techniques and technology.

Now he is expanding his palette to the worlds of art and philanthropy, helping to raise money for Project Resiliency’s Warrior Resiliency Program, sponsored by the Raven Drum Foundation.

Here's a chance to meet a real rock star - RSVP online, or call 301.365.3270.

Wentworth Gallery is on the second level of the mall, just outside of Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy Wentworth Gallery