DEF LEPPARD's RICK ALLEN To Exhibit Artwork On North American Art Tour

Wentworth Gallery is honored to present Rick Allen's works from his latest collection, titled "Rick Allen: Angels and Icons & The Art of Drums".

Rick's art, jewelry and wrapped drums are currently being showcased exclusively in Wentworth Gallery locations throughout the country, including Metro DC, South Florida, Atlanta, the Philadelphia metro and New Jersey. The extraordinary collection houses signature drums, originals, limited editions, mixed media originals and sculptures.

Allen will be making a special appearance at Wentworth Gallery in Short Hills on Saturday, December 10 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds from each sale during this extraordinary event will be donated back to Project Resiliency's Warrior Resiliency Program, sponsored by his charity foundation the Raven Drum Foundation, and each purchaser will receive a limited-edition hand-signed Commemorative Purple Heart piece. Also, premiering at this presentation is Rick Allen's Art To Wear collection. Truly wearable art, each exquisite piece is custom crafted and individually numbered and signed as part of a limited edition of only 99.

Says Allen: "As an artist, I see beauty in many things. I see beauty in music, art, photography and people. My new Art To Wear is another path for me to express my creativity and share my interpretation of the beauty I see in all things. Wearable art is a way to take a unique piece of art that has a story, and make it your own".

Added Christian O'Mahony, principal Wentworth Gallery: "We are honored to present this extraordinary collection in our galleries throughout the country, and to continue our efforts and our tradition of giving back to the men and women who serve our nation so selflessly. Our goal is to bring exposure to Project Resiliency through artistry."

Allen became the drummer for DEF LEPPARD at age 15. At the height of worldwide fame in 1984, he had a car accident that changed his life. Rick lost an arm, but turned personal tragedy into spiritual transformation and continued his musical career. While he was already a hero to millions of young people, he soon added millions of new admirers. Since then, Rick has been reaching out and giving support to others all over the globe by sharing his personal experiences and his love of drumming. Over the past 13 years, Rick has reached out to teenage cancer patients, children with special needs, at risk youth in crisis, families of domestic violence and veterans who have served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Humanitarian Award by Maria Shriver's Best Buddies in 2002 and in 2012, was also awarded the prestigious Wounded Warrior Project's Carry It Forward Award. Rick continues his work helping wounded warriors through Project Resiliency's Warrior Resiliency Program sponsored by his charity foundation the Raven Drum Foundation.

An integral part of Rick's creative life went public in 2012. After years of personal photographic work, Allen ventured into the fine art world with a blockbuster debut collection of abstract artwork built from rhythm. Allen has become a pioneer in the new medium, utilizing drumsticks and rhythm to dictate abstract visuals on canvas.

The debut collection, featuring 300 pieces, quickly sold out in its initial offering to the public and boasted a sold-out exhibition. A second collection, released in 2013, and titled "Rock-On-Canvas", met with a similar exceptional reception and brought forward a relationship with America's leading fine art retailer Wentworth Galleries.

Said Allen: "Music, art and photography have been passions of mine since I was a boy and now I am bringing these artistic expressions to life with paint and canvas.

"My life has been a journey of transformation and my art reflects the many facets of dreams and perceptions that have shaped me to be the person I am today.

"Each piece has a story and a connection to my life from my roots in England, my life-changing car accident, journey to America, travels around the globe and to my deep connection to Wounded Warriors and their struggle to heal.

"The collection of Union Jacks, Angels, Hearts and Flags express messages of hope, transcendence and the human condition.

"The colorful pop art renditions of Victorian Phone Booths in London are created as metaphors of human communication and our need for soulful connection."