Jessica Metcalfe facts for kids

Jessica Metcalfe is a Native American art expert who studies and teaches about Native American fashion. She is also a writer and owns a special online store called Beyond Buckskin Boutique. Jessica is a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe from Belcourt, North Dakota.

Growing Up and Her Studies

Jessica Metcalfe grew up in Dunseith, North Dakota. When she was young, she sometimes felt it was hard to show her Native American heritage through her clothes because of how people reacted.

She went to Dartmouth College for her first degree. Later, she earned her PhD from the University of Arizona. Her advanced studies focused on American Indian studies, which is about the history and culture of Native American people.

Her Work and Career

Jessica Metcalfe is a big supporter of the "Buy Native" idea. This means she encourages people to buy things directly from Native artists and designers. She also promotes teamwork between different cultures and Native designers.

Beyond Buckskin Boutique

In 2009, Jessica started her blog, Beyond Buckskin. She used it to share her research and ideas about Native fashion online. Then, in 2012, she opened Beyond Buckskin Boutique. This is an online store that sells clothing and items made by Native American fashion designers. In 2016, the boutique grew and opened a physical store on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.

Teaching and Writing

Jessica was also a managing editor and writer for Red Ink Magazine. This magazine shares stories, art, and ideas from Indigenous people. From 2011 to 2012, she was a visiting professor at Turtle Mountain Community College and Arizona State University. She taught many subjects, including Native American studies, art history, and anthropology.

Exhibitions and Shows

Jessica Metcalfe has given talks at many important events across the country. These include conferences at the Smithsonian and the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. She has also helped organize art shows. Her work today focuses on Native American art, clothing, and design from the past and present. She especially highlights modern Native artists.

In 2013, Jessica put together a Native American fashion show. It was held at the Idyllwild Arts Foundation Theatre in Idyllwild, California. In the same year, she organized an exhibit about Native fashion. This show was at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Later, in 2015, she was an advisor for a special exhibit called Native Fashion Now. This show was held at the Peabody Essex Museum.

Her Life Today

In 2012, Jessica Metcalfe moved to Gardena, North Dakota.