Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sheila Suderwalla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sheila, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I have always known, from the time I was a child to the present day, that I am truly blessed because of my parents. They exemplified unconditional love not only to their children but to all. They instilled in me our Zoroastrian purpose in life, to have “Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds.” The many tears I have and continue to have over the recent loss of my beloved mother are tears of gratitude.

Sheila, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a Social Worker I have always incorporated creative self-expression with communities I worked with. Creative self-expression be it visual arts, performing arts, or written word is a universal language, it can express more than words, help make sense of the world around us and help heal. My mother, who was a vastly accomplished award-winning pianist, used music to enrich the lives of so many individuals and communities. She was steadfast in bringing music to all; she ensured that despite resources, anyone that wanted to learn piano would have the opportunity to do so. She heavily influenced me in my current work as Executive Director of Artists First where our moto is Art for All. A non-profit inclusive art studio, Artists First empowers artists of all abilities, and uses creative self-expression to build equity, equality, and empowerment. Artists First uses art as a form of healing on an individual and community level. Artists First actively works to ensure that the access, exposure, experience, and expression in the arts are freely available to all.
At our multi-media studio, creative self-expression is not only utilized to effectively communicate and build understanding and acceptance among individuals with different belief systems, experiences, and backgrounds, it is used to raise critical consciousness. The Artists First Collective is composed of outsider artists with non-traditional education and training. It is an inclusive, collaborative, and diverse studio that includes artists with disabilities (physical, cognitive, mental health), veterans and specifically veterans with Post Traumatic Stress and or substance abuse disorder, elders with memory loss and their caregivers, disconnected youth, and those experiencing toxic stress.
As Executive Director there are many things that I am proud about including Artists First receiving the immense recognition of being the 2023 award winner of Arts Organization in the state of Missouri via the Lt. Governor’s Office and Missouri Arts Council. Most importantly I am proud that Artists First is a diverse, inclusive creative community where every person is accepted and welcomed as they are.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Creatives play important roles across society, from positively impacting the economy, increasing tourism, bolstering education, community development, health, and overall individual and community wellbeing. Creatives need to be valued for the role they play and for their contributions to society. Being a creative is a profession and should not be taken for granted. Often when artists are asked to participate in an event, instruct a class, be on a panel or produce a product they are often asked to do so without being financially compensated. Just as one does not go to the grocery store and haggle with the checkout person on lowering the price of bananas or pay the store with “exposure” consumers should not try to lower the value of one’s creation.
I believe as a society, we need to reflect on how exclusion, derived from power and privilege can play out in the appreciation and accessibility of creative self-expression and how we can move toward equitable creative action. Art should not be defined, arbitrarily valued, controlled, or possessed by any one person or group. In many creative communities there is a “gatekeeper” who decides who has access, exposure, and experience. By dismantling exclusionary practices society can ensure a thriving creative ecosystem that benefits all.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Building a community of inclusion, where everyone has equity and equality drives my creative practice. Creative self-expression can be a unifier, can help us share our stories and build community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artistsfirststl.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistsfirststl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistsFirstSTL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-suderwalla
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArtistsFirstSTL

Image Credits
picture 1 (executive director artists first) photo credit: Macalyi Hausmann picture 2 (visionary awards): photo credit Diane Anderson Photography & Lois Ingrum picture 3 (Cultura Conference 2023) photo credit: Jay Scherder, Regional Arts Council picture 4 (Artists First studio artist Julie) photo credit: Macalyi Hausmann picture 5: Artists First studio: photo credit Artists First