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SWAIA ARTIST Profile

Melissa Jack

Name
Melissa Jack
Tribe
Navajo Nation
Juried Classification(s)
Diverse Arts
Website

SWAIA Booth History

SFIM25
SFIM24
CP 22
WIM25

2024 Award History

N/A
Portfolio Example & Artist Statement
Melissa Jack

Hello my name is Melissa Jack(Taylor), My love for creative sewing started as an 8th grader. Since then it was only a distant hobby until I had to reinvent myself quickly when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. My brother Matt and I are healthcare workers and the facility that we work at had no fitting masks or surgical hats for him(He's a big guy). I began working fast to sew him some protective wear. I was successful in helping him and quite a few other healthcare providers due to shortages of n-95 masks and surgical hats. Since then I have been making hats and giving them away as gifts. I know how prestigious this event is and not everyone is selected. My process for making hats begins with cutting (1 hr.), ironing (20 min) and piecing it together. I use commercially dyed lamb, pig, deer and cow hides with some wool, satin, and cotton materials. I use a Heavy Duty Singer sewing machine. Each hat has its own personality as to how long it takes to finish. Thank you for your time.