On Sunday, March 30th, 2025 The Salon Upstairs at DTR Modern Galleries became the setting for Rebels, Icons, Visionaries – A Privé Tea Salon—a curated post-brunch experience celebrating the power of feminine expression through art, storytelling, and cultural dialogue.
Hosted by Avalon Ashley Bellos, Executive Director of Media and Communications, the event brought together artists, collectors, creatives, and cultural leaders for an afternoon of elevated connection and radical elegance.
The room welcomed notables including DTR Modern Galleries’ owner Theodore Vassilev and Carly Guggenheim.
Guests were greeted by a live classical performance from violist Lisa Dondakian, followed by curated gourmet bites from Jennifer Huron of Bushwick Baked and flowing champagne courtesy of The Rugby Champagne, crafted by Karolyn and Pierre Landrieux of The Landrieux Wineries.
At the heart of the afternoon was a powerful live panel discussion, “Art as Rebellion, Femininity as Force,” moderated by Bellos.
The conversation featured four women shaping the cultural narrative in distinct and urgent ways:
– Friday Jones, tattooist, breast cancer advocate, and fine artist
– Padina Bondar, a visionary merging sustainability, fashion, and fine art
– Mackenzie Maisel, whose work reimagines sacred iconography through a surrealist lens
– Anzhelika Steen Olsen, founder of SHER and advocate for women’s leadership and community-based storytelling
Described by guests as “uplifting, empowering, and deeply necessary,” the panel underscored the transformative role of women’s voices in contemporary art and design. The event itself blurred the lines between salon, exhibition, and cultural ritual—reminding attendees that beauty can be disruptive, and conversation can be its own form of protest.
As the art world continues to look toward equity and evolution, Rebels, Icons, Visionaries – A Privé Tea Salon offered a compelling reminder: collecting the work of women artists is not only a meaningful gesture, but also a visionary investment in cultural legacy and creative leadership.
The exhibition—featuring works by Jill Cunniff, Clara Hallencruetz, Jane Manus, Taylor Smith, Padina Bondar, Mackenzie Maisel, and Friday Jones—will remain on view through April 20th, 2025 in The Salon Upstairs at DTR Modern Galleries.
Private viewings and gallery tours are available by appointment.
Photos by: Ramy Mahmoud
ABOUT DTR MODERN GALLERIES
With locations in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach, DTR Modern Galleries represents a bold and dynamic roster of established and emerging artists. Known for its elevated curation and collector-first approach, DTR is a destination for those seeking both investment-quality blue-chip works and the cultural impact of rising talent.
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