Alli Madsen

Alli Madsen was born and raised in Flint, MI. Growing up, she spent a lot of time outdoors – canoeing, kayaking, hiking and backpacking in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. As well as having a love for the outdoors, Alli grew up an avid soccer player, starting as a forward for several youth leagues and clubs. She also excelled in music and the arts, playing the trumpet in jazz band, marching band, pit orchestra, as well as singing as a soloist for the Flint Institute of Music.

In high school Alli discovered her true passion: darkroom photography. She became interested in exploring and pushing the idea of what photography is or can be. The darkroom became a new kind of language, a filter for expression and exploration. This early exploration has guided her artistic practice into adulthood, opening a dialogue to explore her own history and our shared histories.

It was in Grand Rapids, MI that Alli began her managerial career running a successful restaurant. Her experience in the restaurant also sparked an interest in the culinary arts, finding a similar joy in the kitchen as she found in the darkroom. Cooking and nutrition is still a passion Alli embraces today, always looking for new and creative ways to enjoy healthy cuisine.

In Grand Rapids, Alli started working with various community-based nonprofit arts organizations, facilitating workshops for kids and helping to curate large-scale events such as Art.Downtown, First Fridays, artists markets and workshops. Alli believes that community engagement, experiential education and inspiring programming can plant the seeds of artistic entrepreneurship and strengthen our communities.

Returning to her first love of photography Alli enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014, earning her BFA in Photo + Film in 2018.
After graduating she moved to Portland to start a new adventure. Part of that adventure was an unexpected healing journey that brought her to Move Better. Having experienced, first hand, the benefits and healing power of the work being done at Move Better, she became a firm believer in their mission and its implementation. This inspired her to begin working with the Move Better Team to encourage Movement Based Medicine.

In her free time Alli likes to explore new places, eat delicious food, make art both in and out of the darkroom, as well as spend time with her partner and two kitties.