We were lucky to catch up with Sadaf Padder recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sadaf, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’m a career changer. I spent nearly a decade as an educator in public schools before I left to pursue curating and creative organizing full-time.

Looking back, I loved art from an early age. I began going to shows, galleries, museums as a teenager. I was also an organizer from high school onwards.

I did not know curation was a career then. If I had, maybe I would have pursued it much earlier. However, my work in education geared me to work with artists beautifully. I began fundraising and organizing arts programming as a first-year teacher in Baltimore. It unnerved me that my students had no creative outlets. Fast forward, working as a Dean of Students in Brooklyn, I began to recognize that the students who were regularly sent to my office were artists – they just didn’t know it yet.

The same literacy and communication skills I saw holding back my students were also holding back my friends – mostly artists – from opportunities. I began to offer writing services, securing grants, residencies, and exhibitions, for artists I believed in. Then, I started hosting shows in my house.

Then, I jumped. I opening my first gallery show the last week of my job.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an independent curator and founder of Alpha Arts Alliance, a Brooklyn-based arts collective, dealership and agency. I run what may be New York’s only South-Asian female-led art dealership.

I recognized that there is a gap of development and support for artists that is not filled by galleries – if at all. We work collaboratively and transparently alongside the artist.

ALPHA offers curatorial and consultation services for artists, collectors and organizations. We take a holistic approach, focusing on building long-lasting and genuine relationships. The art industry can be very opaque. Our goal is to empower artists as entrepreneurs so they are clear in navigating their careers and to connect them with collectors who will be true champions of their work.

Our ALPHA Artist Pledge sets us apart. A % of all sales and commissions benefit our community partner, Grown in Haiti, a reforestation organization in Jacmel, Haiti, where we are building a community center and artist residency program.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Prior to Covid, I was appointed director of the Gallery LIC – a huge gallery space in Long Island City, where I was scheduling two shows a month for the year. This was an exciting opportunity and I couldn’t wait to amplify artists in my network.

When COVID hit, I adapted to amplifying through social media. I began a weekly series called “heART TALK,” where I interviewed self-taught artists. I maintained the series for 6 months, highlighting artists like Lady Pink, KAMAUU and Bri Blvck.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s incredible to work with an artist early in their career, such as developing their portfolio, and see them use that asset to soar! I’ve had artists secure the Joan Mitchell Fellowship, Fulbright Award and more with writing ALPHA worked with them on.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sadafpadder.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pitterpadder
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadaf.padder/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadafpadder/
• Other: instagram.com/growninhaiti

Image Credits
Rashida Zagon George Arnaldo