KAREN CARLTON

Karen joined the staff of First Baptist Church in June of 2024 as a part-time Office Assistant. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education and a Master of Science degree in Recreation Therapy from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Advertising Design from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. With a background in art, education, and psychology, she has taught students from 3 to 93 years old in a wide variety of subjects, including being a Sunday School teacher for children and adults. Karen was a houseparent at the Baptist Children’s Home in Carmi, Illinois for five years. She served as a missionary in China for four years and Vietnam for two years.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys photography, gardening, and travel. With her photos, she has created 16 annual themed calendars. She has exhibited in various places including a solo photo exhibit titled “Windows of Asia” in the Associated Artists Gallery in Carbondale, Illinois. Her artwork was published in the Art Center school catalog, and she has photos in the permanent collection of the Illinois Historical Museum.