Karla Neumann Smiley, Obl.S.B.

Karla is an oblate, visual artist, and spiritual director. The Center for Benedictine Life’s Spirituality & the Arts program drew her more deeply into the community of St Gertrude’s.  Early in its development, Karla served on the Spirituality & Arts Team and facilitated several workshops including The Artist’s Prayer and Mindful Impressions, a printmaking workshop co-led with her spouse Wil Smiley. She was a member of the three-person facilitation team for the Embracing the Artistic Call (EAC) cohort experience from 2016-2020 and was blessed to be an Artist in Residence in 2019.

Karla holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Art. She is an ordained Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), currently serving as a campus minister at both the University of Idaho and Washington State University.  When not on campus, Karla enjoys exploring a variety of artistic expressions including painting, sketching, and mixed media.  Mandalas, Expressive Arts, and the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen have drawn her to further study.  Karla walked the Hildegard von Bingen Pilgrimage Way in May/June of 2024.

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