Meet our Board of Directors
Alisha Shilling
(she/her)
Chair + Founder
Alisha Shilling is the founder and current board chair of KALICO. Her other professional work experiences that have shaped her strong work ethic were as a photographer, bookkeeper, office manager, and of course her first job as a grocery bagger. Alisha has an associate degree in both fine art and science from Flathead Valley Community College. She also studied psychology in upper level courses at the University of Montana and Maryland.
Alisha’s ability to listen and share stories are her core strengths as a leader and friend. Art has always been a part of how she shares herself and connects with others. Her photography artwork is shared on her personal IG account and documents her everyday life through black and white images.
When she isn’t working at fundraising and networking for Kalico, she lives for the adventures Montana brings. Being born and raised in Montana was a magical childhood spent mainly outdoors exploring. Her and her husband, Adam who is a High School art teacher, have 4 great kids and a dog named Georgia [yes after the great Georgia O’Keefe]. They enjoy playing in the snow, the lakes, hiking, lip syncing and have joined parents across the US in banning all slime.
Abby Hartmann
(she/her)
Vice-Chair + Founder
I'm from a small town outside Akron Ohio. I spent 18 years growing up there and then discovered the beauty of Montana and I just couldn't stay away. I moved out here in 2011 to attend the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. I then met my husband, a Kalispell native, and we moved to Missoula to finish school. I begin a social work job there and really fell in love with people. We then moved back to help move the vision of KALICO forward. KALICO for me, brings both my loves together: people and art.
Kyle Waterman
(he/him)
Kyle was born and raised in Helena, lived out of Montana for 20 years and super thankful to be back living in Kalispell for the last 10 years. Kyle has served on the Kalispell City Council and huge advocate for more public art downtown. Kyle has worked for most of his career as a nonprofit director in children services, conservation and the arts. Kyle loves knick nacks, creating memorable moments and long walks with his husband and dogs. Most of all, he loves new discoveries.
Barbara Otey
(she/her)
Although I was born in Texas, I consider myself to be "from" Colorado as that is where I grew up. I have lived in Montana for 15 years, and in the Flathead for 6 of those years. I have a Bachelor's degree in Anatomy & Physiology from Alma College. Prior to early childhood education, I was actually pursuing a career in physical therapy. When not teaching preschool or art classes, I enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, especially kayaking and hiking, writing, reading and collecting books, dance, board games, and my guinea pig.
Join us!
Are you interested in joining our board? If you are passionate about art and community and want to lend your talents to bring art to all ages and abilities, fill out the form below.
Contact us!
chair@kalicoartcenter.org
(406) 471-2832
149 Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901