This week on Everything You Didn’t Know About Herbalism, we are joined by the profoundly talented and prominent Native American gallerist, documentary filmmaker, writer, and passionate entrepreneur, Ruth-Ann Thorn. As a member of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, Ruth-Ann joins us for a conversation surrounding why cultural representation and awareness for Native American peoples is crucial throughout every industry and community—whether that be art, filmmaking, wellness, herbalism, and everything in-between.

As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure and are honored to have you tag along with us on this ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from are invaluable to our podcast. Email us at [email protected] to let us know what solutions we should uncover next within the vast world of herbalism. 

“Just because we can’t speak the language of water, does not mean that water does not have a language.” – Ruth-Ann Thorn 

Learn more about Ruth-Ann below! ⬇

🌼 Ruth-Ann Thorn, an enrolled tribal member of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, is a prominent figure in the global art industry with a diverse range of expertise spanning over three decades. In 1995, she established Exclusive Collections Galleries to cater to private collectors, institutions, and corporations. Over the years, EC Galleries blossomed into multiple locations in San Diego, Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, Ceasars Forum Shops in Las Vegas, NV, and Breckenridge, CO.

Furthering her commitment to supporting artists, in 2000 she founded Crown Thorn Publishing, a full-service company offering artists assistance in PR, sales and marketing, curation, and exhibition planning. Ruth-Ann Thorn also extends her influence as a key adviser and consultant to Indian Country. Her consultancy firm, EC Art Services, specializes in curating art for a range of spaces such as hotel expansions, government centers, health care facilities, and casinos, always with a keen awareness of cultural relevance.

Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Ruth-Ann Thorn is a seasoned documentary filmmaker, director, producer, and host. Her notable works include Art of the City, a 12-episode series aired on FNX and PBS from 2018 to 2023, and THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY, a groundbreaking travel show that sheds light on the narratives of modern-day Native Americans, set to be broadcasted in 2024 on FNX (First Nations Experience), PBS affiliates, and globally distributed by ASD (Animiki See Distribution).

From 2004 to 2012, she held the position of Editor-in-Chief at Off the Easel Magazine and additionally contributed as a writer for Art Business News. Ruth-Ann Thorn is also recognized as the co-founder of Imprint Registry, a technological platform that serves as a highly secure global art registry, providing artists, sellers, and buyers with a permanent title certificate and a detailed record of authenticity, provenance, and ownership.

In 2022, demonstrating her innovative spirit, she founded N8iV Beauty, a pioneering skincare brand formulated by a Native woman and infused with acorn oil sourced from tribal land. Ruth-Ann Thorn’s multifaceted contributions to the art industry and her steadfast dedication to promoting cultural awareness exemplify her as a visionary leader.

 

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