Karla is a retired art educator, currently working full-time as artist in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, with kitty, Fritzy, and hubby Paulie .
She has exhibited most recently at Wisconsin Art Biennial, West Bend, Wisconsin; Art from the North, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and 51st Art Exhibition at Miller art Museum, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Her work explores the figure within constructed spaces . Drawing from family photographs, landscapes, and memories her ghostly figures embody people and things that have been lost or taken away. By revisiting, reimagining, and rearranging these memories, Lauden creates a space for healing, and a sense of control over a time when life felt unplanned and uncertain.

Education
Lawrence University, Teacher Certification, Appleton, WI 2000
University of Nebraska Lincoln, Master of Fine Arts, Lincoln, NE, 1996
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1992

Professional Experience
Art Specialist, Appleton Area School District, Appleton,WI, 1999-2024 (retired)

Exhibittions
51st Art Invitational, Miller Art Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI, 2026
Art from Up North, Rhinelander, Wisconsin , 2026
Wisconsin Art Biennial, West Bend Art Museum, west Bend, WI, 2026
ArtSpace Collective, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 2026

Past Exhibitions
Steven Garst and Karla Lauden, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI.
WVA: Art on Paper, University of Wisconsin Parkside, Kenosha, WI
Silver Lake College, Being Human, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Forward : A Survey of Wisconsin Art Now, Charles Allis Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Artist Biennial, Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, Wisconsin.2015
Contemporary Views, Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, WI.
Wisconsin Artist Biennial, Anderson Art Center, Kenosha, WI, 2011
Wisconsin Artists Biennial, Rahr West Art Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 2009

Artist-in-Residencies
Jentel Artist Residency, Banner, Wyoming, May 15-June 13, 2015
New York Mills Artist Retreat, New York Mills, MN, July 16-29, 2012

Private Collections:
Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, University of Nebraska,Lincoln, NE
First Choice Bank, Oshkosh, WI
Best Western Hotel, Oshkosh, WI