Our Staff

Executive Director:
Koloud 'Kay' Tarapolsi first spearheaded the Resource Guide four years ago for a separate arts organizations. When that organization unfortunately dissolved, she decided that the database was too important a project to disappear on a shelf somewhere. She continued to pursue more artists in hopes of someday publishing this information to share with others. She then devoted hundreds of hours researching and developed the guide with 145 artists and 35 organizations, three fourths of whom are from the US. She will continue to volunteer her time even after the resource guide. Kay was born in Libya and moved to the US permanently with her family in 1975. She has lived in Seattle since 1992 and worked and managed different art galleries in the area, including the prestigious Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking. She has been a Docent at the Seattle Art Museum for the past 8 years, specializing in African art touring. Kay received her M.A. in June 2001 from the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies specializing in the Middle East and also completed a Graduate Studies Certificate in Museuology from the Burke Museum Studies Program. Kay is currently the Grant Writer for the Arab Festival of the Arab Center of Washington, a Redmond Arts Commissioner and Membership Chair of the Eastside Mother's Club.