Wentworth Gallery, Nature's Elite close at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Wentworth Gallery has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The upscale art gallery has hosted many celebrity artists over the years, including Paul Stanley of KISS, Rick Allen of Def Leppard and Michael Cartellone of the 1990s supergroup Damn Yankees. It will be greatly missed for that star-drawing power alone. The Wentworth Gallery in Tysons remains open for business.

In other mall news, Nature's Elite has also departed. The facial spa's space next to Beauty Boss has been cleared out and walled off. 

Wentworth Gallery reopens, Elite Jewelers coming soon at Montgomery Mall

Wentworth Gallery, an art gallery featuring works by celebrity artists, has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The gallery is located on Level 2, right outside of Nordstrom.

Coming soon to Montgomery Mall will be Elite Jewelers. The chain features GIA-certified diamonds, handmade Italian 18k gold and platinum jewelry, and high-end watches like Movado, Bulova and pre-owned Rolexes. Elite Jewelers will be on Level 2 near Auntie Anne's.

Paul Stanley to appear at Wentworth Gallery in Bethesda

Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall is preparing for its most-famous celebrity guest yet. Paul Stanley of KISS is scheduled to appear at the art gallery on Level 2 of the mall on Friday, September 14, 2018 from 6:00-9:00 PM. Stanley is expected to be so big of a draw, that the gallery is expecting his art to have already sold out by that date, and only those who purchase an artwork will be able to attend the meet-and-greet on the 14th.

For that reason, Wentworth has scheduled a preview event for this coming Saturday, September 8, from 3:00-9:00 PM. Champagne will be served, and you will save 20% off your purchase. With any Paul Stanley art purchase, you will enjoy a one-on-one meeting with the artist on the 14th, an autograph on one personal item of your choice, and a photo opportunity with him.

Those who purchase $10,000 or more of Stanley's artwork will get a reward any KISS fan would envy - an invite to a VIP dinner with Paul after his appearance on the 14th. To RSVP for the preview this Saturday, call 301-365-3270 or RSVP on Facebook.

In other mall news, if you didn't get all the stuff you needed for your dorm this semester, you're out of luck. Dormify has closed for the year in the Nordstrom wing.

Art events today and Sunday in Bethesda

"New York Nights" by Elena Bond

Neo-Impressionist Elena Bond will appear today, June 24, 2017, from 1:00-4:00 PM at Wentworth Gallery inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Bond, who uses a palette knife to create her distinctive paintings, grew up in the Soviet Union and Germany before emigrating to America after the Cold War. Wentworth is located on Level 2, just outside of Nordstrom. The event is free to attend, and Bond's latest artworks will be available for purchase. Call to RSVP: (301) 365-3270

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 25, 2017, artists and some downtown Bethesda businesses will converge on Waverly Street Gallery at 4600 East-West Highway from 2:00-4:00 PM for ARTFUL Afternoons. Guido Adelfio of Bethesda Travel Center and Molly Lapa of Sugarfina will be on hand for an afternoon of art, travel and samples from candy store Sugarfina.

The gallery's current featured exhibit offers the encaustic paintings of Sandra Sedmak Engel.

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

Artist Peter Max to appear in Bethesda today

Is the Bethesda Row Arts Festival not enough art for you this weekend? Stop by Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall today between 1:00-4:00 PM for an appearance and exhibition by artist Peter Max.

To RSVP, call 301.365.3270, or RSVP online.

Wentworth Gallery is located on Level 2 outside of Nordstrom.

Artist Vladimir Kush to appear in Bethesda today

Russian-born artist Vladimir Kush will be at Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall today, October 17, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. He will be debuting his newest exhibit, World in a Mirror of Metaphor.

An international journey spanning his career has brought him finally to America, where today he owns 4 galleries under the brand name of Kush Fine Art. Today's exhibit will feature his paintings, sculptures and drawings, and is free to attend. Works will be available for purchase.

To RSVP, call 301-365-3270. Wentworth Gallery is located on Level 2 of the mall, right outside of Nordstrom.

Artist Peter Max appearing today in Bethesda

Famed artist Peter Max will appear at Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda today, from 1:00-4:00 PM.

Many of his latest works are on display and available for sale at the gallery. Should you purchase one at today's event, you will be able to meet him personally so he can autograph the back of the work(s) you bought, and you'll also receive a signed copy of his newest coffee table book, "The Universe of Peter Max".

Light refreshments will be provided; the event is free to attend. Call 301-365-3270 to RSVP.

Wentworth Gallery is on Level 2 of the mall, just outside of Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy Wentworth Gallery

Big art weekend in Bethesda: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, Peter Max, art walk

Art aficionados have a big weekend ahead in Bethesda. Meet famed artist Peter Max Saturday, and explore some of the best artists you may not have heard of in downtown Bethesda.

Start off tonight with the Bethesda Art Walk, sponsored by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, from 6:00-9:00 PM. Walk or use the free Bethesda Circulator bus to tour 6 participating gallery displays around downtown Bethesda, before dining in one of the many restaurants nearby. The art walk is free.

Saturday, May 9, from 1:00-3:00 PM at Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall, you can meet a living legend: artist Peter Max. You'll also be able to browse and purchase from his latest works. RSVP now online, or call 301.365.3270. Free to attend.

But your artistic weekend is just getting started. There's plenty of time to take in the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival 2015 Saturday (10 AM - 6 PM) and Sunday (10 AM - 5 PM), in downtown Bethesda's rapidly-evolving Woodmont Triangle. Walk along Norfolk, Auburn and Del Ray Avenues to see 130 artists in action. If you like what you see, you can also purchase their works.

There will also be live music both days, and a children's play area on Auburn Avenue. Why not also get something to eat from one of 6 restaurants who will be at the festival, including the new Urban Heights?

Admission is free, and there will be free parking (at least for this year!) in the public garages nearby, such as the one on Auburn Avenue. The event is held rain or shine.

Meet one of Europe's top landscape artists today in Bethesda

Stop by Wentworth Gallery today, April 11, between 1:00-3:00 PM to meet master Impressionist painter Maxwell Parsons. The British artist is considered to be one of the finest landscape artists in contemporary Europe. Parsons' newest oil paintings, and limited-edition giclées, will be available for purchase at the gallery today.

You can RSVP online, or by calling 301.365.3270 today.

Wentworth Gallery is located on Level 2 of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, at 7101 Democracy Boulevard. It is right outside of Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy Wentworth Gallery

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

MEET ARTIST DAVID SCHLUSS THIS SATURDAY IN BETHESDA

Meet artist David Schluss, and see his newest works on canvas and in bronze at Wentworth Gallery in Westfield Montgomery Mall this Saturday, February 7, from 1:00-4:00 PM.

Inspired by his early years in the Israeli port city of Jaffa, Schluss moved to Montreal in the late 1960s and flourished as an artist. His eventual relocation to Fort Lauderdale in 1986 coincided with the perfection of his unique painting style - using only his hand, no brushes.

You can RSVP online for the event, or by phone at 301-365-3270.

Wentworth Gallery is on the mall's upper level, right outside of Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy of Wentworth Gallery

GALLERY AT THE GALLERY: WENTWORTH GALLERY ART SALE AT THE GALLERY BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Downtown Bethesda residents had the chance to browse more than 100 fine art pieces in the Sky Lounge at the Gallery Bethesda luxury apartment tower yesterday. Wentworth Gallery, located in Westfield Montgomery Mall, hauled over a large part of their collection, and invited residents and the public to view paintings by Peter Max, Michael Cartellone, Elena Bond, and more. If you missed the show, you can stop by Wentworth Gallery at the mall, and still get the sale prices currently offered. They are located on the upper level, outside of Nordstrom.

This was one of my favorites,
"New York Nights," by
Elena Bond - $4150

Remember Michael Cartellone's
4-piece "David" from the
Wentworth exhibit earlier
this year?