Join us for the last First Friday of 2024 as we celebrate three incredible local artists:
✨ Photographer Kassidy Malcolm
✨ Mala Jewelry Artist Karlissa Skinner
✨ Beaded Jewelry Artist Natalie Veis Williams
Join us on December 6th for First Friday at Sacred Ally, a healing and empowering arts center dedicated to collaborating with our community and local artisans. For the final month of 2024, we are thrilled to showcase three outstanding local artists.
Kassidy Malcolm
Landscape and travel photographer Kassidy Malcolm keeps her lens focused on the world's natural wonders, while beautifully intertwining her passions for photography and the outdoors. Based in Missoula, Montana, her journey began amidst the scenic landscapes of Washington state, where towering mountains and vibrant sunsets sparked her creative spirit. Kassidy's connection to nature fuels her work, as she believes humans are intrinsically linked to the earth's majestic rivers and forests. This drives her to capture fleeting moments that will never occur again, a pursuit she finds deeply inspiring. In recent years, her love for exploration has expanded beyond the familiar trails of North America to the historic and diverse landscapes of Europe, where she once lived while playing basketball. It was during this time that she fell in love with all things travel photography and she’s been itching to see more of this world ever since. As her favorite artist Tom Petty says, “After all, it was a great big world with lots of places to run to!” Kassidy is committed to photographing the world's vast beauty, one destination at a time. Discover her breathtaking work at kassidymalcolmphotography.com.
Click here to connect with Kassidy on Instagram.
Karlissa Skinner
One of Sacred Ally’s own, Karlissa was born and raised in Montana and has always held a deep reverence for the natural world.
Her connection to nature has guided her to places of extraordinary beauty – from the mountains of British Columbia, to the Mediterranean coast of France, to the jungle of Costa Rica, where she received her first mala from a dear jungle sister. She was instantly transfixed and knew that she wanted to learn and share this mindful art.
Each mala Karlissa creates is hand-knotted with carefully sourced gemstones and its very own Sanskrit mantra. She draws inspiration from the infinite beauty beneath our feet – the beauty of gemstones and crystals that are only formed under extreme conditions of pressure and transformation. Karlissa’s intentions are to honor the beauty of Earth, the culture and traditions of mala meditation, and to share the wisdom of resilience and equanimity with the world.
Natalie Veis Williams
Natalie’s passion for jewelry began at the age of seven, when she joined her mom at her art shows, crafting simple necklaces to sell under her first business name, Wild Rose. Around that time, she developed a fascination for intricate Indigenous beadwork, inspired by the beautiful pieces she encountered at art shows and galleries.
As a descendant of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, Natalie’s work is deeply influenced by the artistry of her Métis ancestors, who combined traditional Indigenous designs with European floral patterns and were known as “the flower beadwork people”. Natalie honors these traditions by blending them with modern elements, creating unique, hand-beaded pieces that reflect both heritage and innovation. Each design is crafted meticulously with seed beads using a traditional two-needle technique, making every piece truly a one-of-a-kind work that embodies her heritage, skill, and dedication to the art of beadwork.
Click here to connect with Natalie on Instagram.
Stop by anytime between 5-8pm to meet Kassidy, Karlissa, and Natalie.
Enjoy our ceremonial cacao, meet our team, and relax in our community space. Discover the heart and soul behind Sacred Ally’s mission to empower and heal through artistic collaboration.
We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating the vibrant artistry of our community!
This is a free event, open to everyone.
If you are interested in collaborating as a featured artist for a future First Friday, please contact: empower@sacredally.love.