Finding Beauty
Finding Beauty
$350.00
By Koloud ‘Kay’ Tarapolsi (Libyan-American)
Quilled Paper, 2019
Paper, 6” x 8” (KT04)
Koloud ‘Kay’ Tarapolsi | Quilled.
12.06.2019 - 01.28.2020
Art Opening & Artist’s Reception: Friday, December 6th, 5-8pm
Art & Wine: Friday, January 3rd, 5-8pm
Koloud ‘Kay’ Tarapolsi.
Koloud ‘Kay’ Tarapolsi is a Libyan American artist who creates art, primarily in quilling.
Kay moved to the US with her family when she was 7 years old and has visited all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico. She received her Bachelors of Science from Oklahoma State University in Sociology and Art History, with a specialty in African art. She did her college internship in Florida at Walt Disney World, by earning a Ducktorate in Management – Disney Style.
Moving to Seattle in 1992, Kay started volunteering at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), where she became a Docent in 1994. In 2001, she received her Masters from the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies, with an interest in Middle East studies and also obtained Museology Certification from the Burke Museum. She founded Arab Artists Resources & Training, an international non-profit that lists Arab artists and organizations worldwide, in June of 2001.
Kay was appointed Arts Commissioner by the City Mayor of Redmond for two consecutive terms and has been on the Executive Board of the Seattle Art Museum African Council and the Salaam Cultural Museum Board.
Kay became Board Director of the Arab Center of Washington from 2005 to 2007 and worked extensively on the 2005 Arab Festival as Grant Writer and on the Steering Committee. She then became Producer of the 2007 Arab Festival, was on the Steering Committee for the 2009 Arab Festival, and Booth Coordinator for the 2013 Arab Festival. Kay was asked to return as Board Director of the Arab Center of Washington again in 2017 and produced the Arab Festival that same year.
In 2008, she started her company A Crafty Arab where she handcrafts a vibrant Arab world. When her youngest started school in 2012, she turned toward the business full time and now sells online on Amazon, and Zibbet. Her Arabic educational products can be also be found in stores in Seattle, the Arab American Museum in Dearborn, MI, the Jerusalem Fund and the Smithsonian African Museum, both in Washington, DC.
Kay teaches art education to various schools in the Pacific Northwest and has been an Arab artist in resident in several summer camps. She recently has started leading art and cooking tours to Morocco through an award winning travel agency, creating the itinerary for a 10 day volunteer & educational opportunity.
Kay has been quilling artwork for ten years. She has taught it to adults and children from Orcas Island to Seaview, Washington. She has shown her artwork in several northwest prestigious locations, including the Sculpture Northwest Gallery and the Bainbridge Art Museum.