WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

At their annual meeting on June 21, board chair Charmon Baker announced that Delta Arts would begin celebrating its 50th anniversary in August and the celebration would continue through next summer. 

Keith Byrd on the keyboards and Karlton Jones on saxophone entertained attendees with light jazz while people networked and enjoyed refreshments under a tent set up in the parking lot of Delta Arts. During the meeting, board members were introduced and retiring board members were recognized. 

Peggy Moore gave a year in review and a video was shown giving a brief history of Delta Arts Center that was from the N.C. Museum of History.

Delta Arts Center was founded by the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, beginning in a small house and later moving into a former ABC store on New Walkertown Road. Their first exhibit was called “Reflections” and featured 100 pieces of art from African American artists, the first such exhibit in North or South Carolina.

Peggy announced the upcoming exhibits for their 50th anniversary year, beginning with the current exhibit, “Invitational 2022,” which will be up through the end of August. 

Incorporating their 50th anniversary legacy to the African American community, future exhibits include:

*”Conserving Legacy,” works by HBCU professors which runs from Sept. 9 through Dec. 30. The opening reception will be held on Sept. 16 from 6-8 p.m.

*Tapestries of a Legacy,” featuring quilts by the African American Quilt Circle, Jan. 6-April 28, with the opening reception on Jan. 6 from 6-8 p.m. The African American Quilt Circle was founded in Durham in 1998 with the purpose of preserving the heritage of quilting in the African American community.

*Re-imagined Legacy: The Art of Lavett Ballard,” May 5-Aug. 25, with an opening reception on May 5 from 6-8 p.m. Ballard was named by Black Art American as one of the top 10 female emerging artists to collect.

*”Cultural Festival,” an annual event on Sept. 26, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., with music, food vendors, displays and fun for the whole family.

At the annual meeting Baker also announced a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $100,000 to be used to create  an artist rendering using bricks made by brickmason George Black. New paver bricks can be purchased for $350 for smaller bricks and $500 for larger bricks and inscribed with names of those to honor or memorialize. The bricks will be included in a wall along the front of the arts center. Donations to the campaign will be accepted through the 2022-23 year, ending June 30, 2023, by donating online or by check mailed to Delta Arts Center, 2611 

New Walkertown Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

During the week of the National Black Theatre Festival, Delta Arts will host a Blues Night on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 9:30 p.m. until midnight, with live music, beer and wine, and heavy hors d’oeures. Tickets are $25 per person.

For more information, please visit www.deltaartscenter.org.