News Summary
Ruth-Ann Thorn, a Native American entrepreneur based in San Diego, is reshaping the art and beauty industries through her businesses like Native Star and Exclusive Collections Gallery. With a focus on celebrating Indigenous culture, her ventures offer unique shopping experiences and promote community empowerment. Additionally, her skincare line N8iV Beauty emphasizes health by using traditional ingredients. Thorn’s docuseries, ‘This is Indian Country,’ showcases contemporary Native American stories while preserving heritage and advocating for social equity.
San Diego – Ruth-Ann Thorn, an influential Native American entrepreneur, is making significant strides in the art, beauty, and cultural industries with her innovative businesses and projects. With nearly 30 years of experience in the art sector, Thorn is currently running a boutique gallery and a luxury shop that highlight Native American culture and craftsmanship.
Thorn is the owner of Exclusive Collections Gallery, a single location in downtown San Diego, after previously managing seven locations across Southern California, Las Vegas, and Colorado. Additionally, she founded Native Star, a unique boutique shop in the Gaslamp Quarter, marking its place as the first Native American storefront offering handmade goods in the area.
Native Star is more than just a shopping destination; it provides a cultural experience with a selection of gifts, fashion items, and even a coffee bar. Importantly, it showcases contemporary Native American talent through art displays. Thorn emphasizes that this establishment represents a significant move towards returning spaces historically taken from Native Americans, which she refers to as a “land back” initiative.
In tandem with her retail efforts, Thorn has launched N8iV Beauty, a skincare line that utilizes traditional acorn oil, reflecting her cultural roots. This new venture focuses on health and well-being, offering products aimed at a diverse audience and promoting inclusivity while honoring Indigenous heritage. New products, including sunscreen and eye cream, are planned for release later this year, which will feature local Native American plant medicines.
To further enrich her community’s narrative, Thorn created a docuseries titled This is Indian Country, which explores the contemporary experiences of Native Americans across various states such as Washington, Oregon, California, and Minnesota. Incorporating interviews with artists, musicians, and local leaders, this series serves to depict modern Indigenous stories while emphasizing cultural preservation and community empowerment.
The Gaslamp Quarter holds sentimental value for Thorn, linking her heritage with her modern initiatives. She not only runs her businesses but also fosters connections with her surroundings— highlighting local dining and shopping experiences, including recommending the Meze Greek Fusion restaurant and Nikki & Co. jewelry store for their unique offerings and honest service.
Thorn’s past projects include the documentary series Art of the City, which explored how artists uplift their communities through creativity and collaboration. She believes that narrative storytelling and the arts play crucial roles in societal betterment.
In her historic Yuma Building, where Native Star is housed, Thorn reported experiencing phantom activity, adding a layer of mystique to her entrepreneurial endeavors. Visitors are greeted with a map of existing Native American tribes, serving as an educational tool about Indigenous cultures and communities. The building, and all that it represents, reflects Thorn’s passion for revitalizing Native American presence in historically significant spaces.
As Thorn works toward her goals, she seeks to create job opportunities within the beauty industry for Native Americans, aiming to showcase their stories and talents. Her approach not only highlights the beauty sector’s potential for cultural storytelling but also calls attention to social equity and representation.
Through her various ventures and projects, Ruth-Ann Thorn stands as a beacon of empowerment, blending art, culture, and beauty in ways that resonate with both the Native American community and the wider public. Her efforts contribute meaningfully to the acknowledgment and appreciation of Native American artistry and heritage within contemporary contexts.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: Handpicked by Locals
- Cowgirl Magazine: Cowgirl Empowered – Ruth Ann Thorn
- CBS 8: Native Star – Celebrating Native American Culture
- Times of San Diego: Indigenous-Owned Skincare Best Beauty Award
- Patch: New San Diego Boutique Showcases Native American Craftsmanship
- Wikipedia: Ruth Ann Thorn
- Google Search: Native American Art
- Google Scholar: Ruth Ann Thorn
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Native American
- Google News: Ruth Ann Thorn

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