Fourth Edition to Feature Expanded Performance Stage and Conversation Cove Schedules, Plus Exciting New Pop-Up Activations and Community Partnerships
INDIANAPOLIS (August 21, 2024) – In addition to showcasing the artwork of 60 exhibiting artists, this year’s BUTTER Fine Art Fair will feature four fun-filled days of artwork, live music, dance performances, poetry, DJ sets, custom merch, and food trucks, plus three days of expert talks given by local, national, and international guest speakers. New to the Conversation Cove are talks by artists and curators including Autumn Breon, former MLB player Micah Johnson, and esteemed author and activist Kimberly Drew. Also making a BUTTER debut is The Kids’ Zone, a special outdoor activation designed in partnership with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to encourage creativity and play, complete with interactive stations for kids to practice their artistic skills.
CONVERSATION COVE
Hosted by local actor Temara Payton and Eric Saunders, and under the direction of Stage Manager Onyea Cummings, the Conversation Cove (located in the electric pink main exhibition hall this year) will feature exhibiting artist Q+A’s happening on the hour, with highlights as follows:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
12:30pm – Art Talk with Chris Rocket and Tumi Adeleye
1:00pm – Art Talk with Asari Aibangbee
2:00pm – At The Salon with author A’Lelia Bundles and artist Autumn Breon
3:00pm – Art Talk with Langston Allston
4:00pm – BATTER Up! With artist Micah Johnson and local organizer Jim Walker
4:30pm – Art Talk with Cornelius Tulloch
5:30pm – Art Talk with Cortney Herron
6:00pm – LA to Nap: Not Like Us with Mary Harris, Natou Fall and Isis Dua
7:00pm – What I Know About Art with Kimberly Drew and Malina Simone Bacon
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
10:00am – Mastering The Canvas, A Class by Mason Archie
1:00pm – Art, Innovation & Culture with Pigment Magazine and Edo
2:00pm – Curated With Love by BUTTER curators Nakeyta Moore, Kendall Hurns, and Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette
2:30pm – Think, Read & Talk with Indiana Humanities
4:00pm – Creating The New World with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Ashley Nora
4:30pm – A Moment Of Calm, inspirational meditation with Manon
5:30pm – Keeping It 1000 by 1000 Words Gallery, with Chris Smith, ThanksTheodore, and Rob Sloan
6:00pm – Arte Is A Basic Need with Eduardo Luna of Arte Mexicano en Indiana
7:00pm – Fighting The Monolith with Scott Terry, owner of Mahogany Gallery
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
12:30pm – Prescribing Art with IU Health
1:00pm – The Art Of Collecting with John Thompson and Alan Mills
3:00pm – From The Mouths Of Giants with D. Del Reverda-Jennings and Kevin Wilson
4:30pm – Art Talk with Amani Tre Niner
PERFORMANCE STAGE
Hosted by local legend Rusty Redenbacher, the BUTTER Performance Stage is located outside of the Stutz Car Museum on 10th Street and will feature live performances on all four days, with highlights as follows:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
6:15pm – Pork & Beans Brass Band
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
10:45am – Education Day Performance by ukuleleist Austin Dean Ashford
11:00am – Tasha Jones
6:30pm – Rusty & Kinetik
7:00pm – SoundsByCam
8:00pm – FOXD’LEGND
9:00pm – SoundsByCam
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
3:00pm – Valerie Phelps
6:15pm – BUTTER Jam Session with Mariah Ivey
8:15pm – Brandon Lott
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
1:00pm – Tom Foolery & The Laughing Stock
4:00pm – The Call
Another addition to this year’s BUTTER lineup is Grapevine: Naptown’s Kickback for Local Jams, set to take place on Friday, August 30 outside the main Exhibition Hall. Known as Indianapolis’ premier Black-owned First Friday event, Grapevine will feature a curated selection of the city’s top retail and food truck brands.
“We’re thrilled to bring the energy of Grapevine to the city’s premier fine art fair,” said Nigel Long, GANGGANG executive and creator of Grapevine. “While we’re usually at Cleo’s Bodega every First Friday from May to October, we are excited to make exceptions for exciting and impactful experiences like BUTTER.”
Walk & Talk tours led by Sampson Levingston return to this year’s BUTTER. Guests (RSVP required) will have the opportunity to embark on walking tours that explore the historic Indiana Avenue District, leaving from the fine art fair at select times.
Tickets are on sale at www.butterartfair.com as are details on the program of events. General Admission tickets are $40, which includes unlimited access to all three days. Preview Night tickets are $150 for the Thursday, August 29 event and include General Admission weekend return access. Students under 18 are free and welcome to attend Friday–Sunday.
About GANGGANG
GANGGANG is a creative advocacy agency based in Indianapolis working to center culture, equity, and beauty in cities through major initiatives like BUTTER: A Fine Art Fair. For more information on the founding organization, visit www.ganggangculture.com or follow on social media @ganggangculture. For more information on BUTTER, visit www.butterartfair.com or follow on social @butterartfair.
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FOR MEDIA:
Media inquiries, including artist interview requests, advance tours, and photography:
Keri Kirschner, [email protected], (646) 717-2848
Clara Isaac, [email protected], (317) 441-1535
Frances Anderson, [email protected], (217) 621-6335
Press passes will be issued to journalists with advance notice. To get on the press pass list, please email: Keri Kirschner, [email protected]. This year’s BUTTER Media Kit can be found here.