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Karen Keil Brown is a proud alumna of UNC Asheville, having graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine art. Karen is a full-time artist specializing in landscape oil paintings and her studio, Pink Dog Creative, is located in the Asheville River Arts District. She enjoys connecting UNC Asheville arts students and faculty with the downtown Asheville art community and hosting alumni studio art strolls.

Originally from New Jersey and raised in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Karen has been a professional artist for over 30 years. She has experience in commercial art and as an art teacher in the school system for over 10 years. She has participated in numerous art exhibitions around the country, with her art work in private and cooperate collections throughout the United States. Her artwork was recently purchased for the main lobby at the Mission Health hospital, North Tower, in Asheville, NC.

Karen received the National Alumni Thomas D. Reynolds award in 2019.

As an active member in her community, Karen donates her art work to many local charities, serves as an Advisor on the Asheville Area Arts Council Board, Collectors Circle member of the Asheville Art Museum, The Downtown Gallery Association, and RADA. Her passion is working with Arts for Life, a non-profit supporting children and families with art programs that encourage the spirit of children dealing with serious illnesses.

Karen and her husband Buster raised their three daughters in Asheville.