Exhibition Overview
The "Role Model Beyond Beauty" exhibition at the Delta Arts Center honors influential Black women with ties to North Carolina during Black History and Women's History Months. The exhibit features 30 selected portraits from a collection of over 200, loaned from the personal archives of Lafayette Jones and Sandra Miller Jones.
The Joneses commissioned portrait artist Leo Rucker and capture the images of notable figures such as Sylvia Sprinkle Hamlin, Mable Robinson, Gerry Patton, and civil rights icon Rosa Parks. The exhibition also showcases leaders in various fields, including Judith Jamison of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater of Harlem, and notable individuals from the beauty industry like Eunice Dudley, Ursula Dudley, Dr. Katie B. Catalon, and Robbie Bronner. After its premiere at the Delta Arts Center, the collection will tour major cities. It has previously been displayed at venues like the Sawtooth Gallery and the North Carolina Museum of Art.
About the Artist - Leo Rucker
Leo Rucker, a distinguished artist from Winston-Salem, has contributed significantly to the local arts scene for over 25 years. Known for his dynamic murals in public spaces such as Diggs Elementary School, Winston-Lake YMCA, and the Downtown Transportation Center, Rucker's work predominantly features portraits in various media including pastel, pencil, ink, oil, and acrylic. His exhibition at the Delta Arts Center showcases these artworks, reflecting his deep engagement with community themes.
About the Creators and Columnist of 'Role Model Beyond Beauty'
Sandra Miller Jones founded the SMSi companies, including Healthy Living Solutions in 1978 and Urban Call Publishing in 1993. SMSi has Beauty salon, Barbershop, & church networks . She previously served as Marketing Director at Quaker Oats, managing major brands like Captain Crunch.
Lafayette Jones, a former VP of Marketing and Sales for Johnson Publishing (Ebony/Jet) and Johnson Products (Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen), is recognized for his impactful marketing strategies and as a columnist. His influential work appears in OTC Beauty Magazine and Beauty Industry Report, reaching over 23,000 readers globally. His "Role Model-Beyond Beauty" column in Sophisticate’s Black Hair Styles and Care Guide ran from 1996 until 2022, profiling pioneering women of color and achieving global impact.
Quotes
Tom Patterson from the Winston-Salem Journal highlights Rucker's artistic impact: "Rucker is an urban Black artist known for his people-centric art and local murals, bringing together recent drawings and paintings that highlight human figures and community involvement."
Margurite Oestreicher, a board member at Delta Fine Arts, commends Rucker's influence: "Leo Rucker’s art vividly captures the essence of community and history through his detailed portraits and murals, reflecting his deep connections and the impact of his artistic endeavors on local culture."
Additional Resource
Visit the SMSi-Urban Call YouTube Channel to view related content: Role Model Video ( Youtube )
Opmerkingen