Koloud Fawzi Omar Abdul Aziz Tarapolsi is a Libyan American who promotes a positive image of Arab culture.
Brought to America at 7, Koloud has subsequently traveled to all the states, including her favorite, Puerto Rico. Along the way, she received her Bachelors of Science, a Ducktorate, and a Masters of Arts, in that order.
Moving to Seattle in early 1990s, Koloud started volunteering at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). She was soon asked to join as an African Art Interpreter, then as a Docent. After 25 years of giving public tours about art, SAM gave her a gold badge at a very nice lunch.
Koloud founded Arab Artists Resources & Training, and served as an Arts Commissioner for her city, plus as board member for a number of extraordinary non-profit organizations. She recently lead a museum and culinary tour through the Moroccan landscape, stopping at 5 cities along the way to rest, cook and teach.
In 2008, Koloud started ACraftyArab.com, handcrafting a vibrant Arab world by offering free resources to parents and caregivers. She currently teaches art education in the Pacific Northwest. Koloud has been an artist in resident at stunning locations like YMCA Camp Orkila, and Sou’wester Historic Lodge & Vintage Travel Trailer Resort.
Contact her for more information if you have a stunning location she can rest, cook, and teach.
Koloud Tarapolsi Manuscripts
In 2019, Koloud Tarapolsi visited the Eric Carle Picture Book Museum’s library for 4 days. She couldn’t find any Libyan American books. Determined to be the change, Koloud became a 2021 Children’s Book Academy Yuyi Morales Scholarship beneficiary. She now crafts lyrical, silly adventures of Arab contemporary life. She has completed six picture book manuscripts and one craft tutorial book to showcase 75 recycled Ramadan crafts from her blog :
- Chaïbia Draws a Dream – Picture book biography of Moroccan artist Chaïbia Talal
- Najat Senses Color – Picture book biography of United Arab Emirates artist Dr. Najat Makki
- Ilhan Voices A Victory – Picture book biography of Somali American politician Ilhan Omar
- No Arabic at Gate 4A – Picture book adaptation from a work from Palestinian American writer Naomi Shihab Nye
- The Alien Who Loves Hummus – Picture book about an alien who tries different Libyan foods
- How To Play an Oud Upside Down – Picture book about a left handed musician trying to fit in
- Reduce, Reuse, Ramadan! – Children craft book of Ramadan decor made from household items
Koloud Tarapolsi Quilling
Koloud Tarapolsi has been quilling, and teaching it to children and adults, for 10 years. Quilling evolved from Egyptian filigree. It got its name from nuns that wound paper around writing quills. The paper was shaped, glued and used to beautify items. Koloud enjoys the paper as it allows freedom to explore movement in arabesque shapes and Islamic calligraphy.
Koloud Tarapolsi Exhibits
- 2020 – Redmond Lights, Redmond, WA
- 2019 – Suzanne Zahr Gallery, Mercer Island, WA
- 2018 – Onyx Fine Arts Collective, Seattle, WA
- 2017 – ACES: Artists of Color Expo. Shunpike, Armory, Seattle, WA
- Seattle Art Museum Volunteer Committee. Annual Show, Seattle, WA
- International Refugee Committee. ARTvocacy, Bainbridge Island Museum, WA
- 2016 – Onyx Fine Arts Collective. Richland Public Library, Richland, WA
- International Refugee Committee. ARTvocacy, Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA
- 2015 – Seattle Art Museum Volunteer Committee. Annual Show, Seattle, WA
- 2015 – Arab Artists & Arabic Art Exhibition, Bellevue Art Museum, WA
- 2014 – Onyx Fine Arts Collective, Artists of African Descent, Seattle, WA
Koloud Tarapolsi Outreach
- Arab Cultural Camp Organizer, 2018 Arab Cultural Week Camp, 2019 Arab Cultural Week Camp and 2019 Arab Cultural Day Camp
- Tour Guide, 2019 Art & Cooking Morocco Trip, 2020 Art & Cooking Morocco Trip
- Resident Teaching Artist, one week art residency, Sou’Wester Lodge, Seaview, WA
- Participant and later Co-Host of the 2016 Multicultural Children’s Book Day, 2017 Multicultural Children’s Book Day, the 2018 Multicultural Children’s Book Day and the 2020 Multicultural Children’s Book Day
- Store Manager, SCM Souk, a refugee pop-up diverse book store, Bellevue, WA
- Speaker, 2018 Muslimah Bloggers Summit
- Producer, Arab Festival, Arab Center of Washington, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
- Project Manager, Finding Common Ground: Washingtonian Arabs define their identity, MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry), Seattle, WA
- Arabic Language Camp: 2012 Startalk Arabic Language Camp {Resource} and 2013 Startalk Arabic Language Camp {Resource}
- Community Leader, Seeds of Compassion Parade for the Dalai Lama, Qwest Field, Seattle, WA
- Booth Manager, Eat with Muslims, Middle East and North African Literature (MENAL) Festival, Gates Foundation Giving Marketplace, Seattle, WA
- Fundraiser, Women’s March, Seattle, WA
- Outdoor Sculpture Curator, City of Redmond, WA
- Art Teacher, Felted Flower Pin, Quilling and String Art, YMCA Camp Orkila Women’s Wellness Weekend, Orcas Island, WA, along with Middle School Art Teacher, Khatam Lesson
- Gallery Manager, NW Woodworking Gallery, Kirkland, WA
Koloud Tarapolsi Affiliates
A Crafty Arab is a member of these communities:
- Plaid Ambassador
- Creative Muslim Women
- Kid Blogger Network
- Multicultural Kid Blogs
- Muslimah Bloggers
- Muslimah Women
- Multcultural Children’s Book Day
Koloud Tarapolsi Credentials
- February 2021 – Children’s Book Academy’s Yuyi Morales Scholarship
- December 2020 – City of Redmond Public Art Intensive for Eastside Artists
- June 2018 – Golden Acorn Award for Volunteers
- March 2010 – Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH) Business Development Training
- September 2009 – King County Library System World Language Training
- April 2003 – United Way of King County Leadership Effectiveness and Diversity Training