FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Straw into Gold
The Art of Rosa “Malikia” Johnson Celebrates a Lifetime of African Ancestral Hair Sculpture July 7, 2026 - October 9, 2026
WINSTON-SALEM, NC — September 2026 — Delta Arts Center is pleased to present Straw into Gold: The Art of Rosa “Malikia” Johnson, an exhibition celebrating the remarkable artistic career and cultural legacy of Winston-Salem artist Rosa “Malikia” Johnson, known to many as the “Queen of Braids.”
On view at Delta Arts Center throughout October 9th, Straw into Gold explores Johnson’s innovative practice of transforming hair braiding into a form of sculpture, storytelling, and cultural expression. Bringing together works from across her career, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to experience the artistry, imagination, and cultural knowledge embedded within her practice.
For Johnson, braiding has never been simply a hairstyle. Her work reflects the long history of African and African American hair traditions and their connections to identity, community, memory, and creativity. Through intricate patterns, sculptural forms, artist books, prints, and other works, Johnson expands the possibilities of hair as an artistic medium.
The exhibition also reveals the breadth of Johnson’s creative practice. Straw into Gold includes selections of past works alongside newer pieces and archival discoveries that illuminate the development of her ideas over time. Among the works featured is a dress constructed from tobacco, connecting Johnson’s artistic practice to the agricultural and cultural history of North Carolina.
The exhibition further explores Johnson’s relationship to research, literature, and African American cultural history, including archival discoveries connected to writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. Together, these materials provide a deeper understanding of Johnson’s practice and the cultural histories that inform it.
“Straw into Gold gives us an opportunity to look at Rosa Johnson’s work not simply as an example of exceptional braiding, but as a significant artistic practice,” said Timothy Jeffers, Interim Executive Director of Delta Arts Center. “Her work asks us to reconsider what materials can become art and how traditions passed from one generation to another can become sources of innovation, storytelling, and cultural memory.”
Upcoming Programs
Delta Arts Center will host a series of programs throughout the exhibition, offering opportunities for visitors to engage directly with Johnson, her work, and the ideas explored in the exhibition.
Art Tour with Matema Hadi September 1 | 4–5 PM An exhibition tour offering visitors an opportunity to explore the works and themes presented in Straw into Gold.
Artist Talk with Rosa “Malikia” JohnsonSeptember 11 | 4–5 PM Johnson discusses her artistic practice, the history behind her work, and the experiences that have shaped her career.
Exhibition ReceptionSeptember 25 | 6 PMJoin Delta Arts Center for an evening celebrating Johnson, her work, and the community surrounding Straw into Gold.
Straw into Gold: The Art of Rosa “Malikia” Johnson continues Delta Arts Center’s commitment to presenting African American artists and creating opportunities for audiences to engage with art as a vehicle for cultural memory, education, and community connection.
About Delta Arts Center
Founded in 1972, Delta Arts Center is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to preserving, presenting, and advancing African American art and culture. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Delta Arts Center provides exhibitions, educational programs, community events, and opportunities for artists and audiences to connect through the arts.
For exhibition information, upcoming programs, and gallery hours, visit Delta Arts Center online or contact the gallery directly.
Media Contact:
Delta Arts CenterWinston-Salem, North Carolina
Timothy Jeffers
336-722-2625
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