INDIANAPOLIS (August 3, 2026) – BUTTER Fine Art Fair powered by AES Indiana and presented by SomeraRoad has doubled down on youth programming and access for the fair’s sixth iteration. Designed to cultivate the next generation of artists and creative leaders through education, mentorship, and professional development, Camp BUTTER is the newly defined and expanded educational division of the fine art fair, known for its 100% to artists mission. The innovative program is composed of three pillars: BUTTER Education Day, Camp BUTTER Cohort, and the first-ever BUTTER BFA: New Voices in Contemporary Art exhibition showcasing the work of Indiana’s top student talent. 

BUTTER EDUCATION DAY

Now in its sixth year, BUTTER Education Day affords students access to the exhibition, artists, curators, and neighborhood historians before the show opens to the public on Friday, September 4. The half day of guided tours, artist talks, and educational programming will include more than 900 pre-registered students, representing K-8, high school, university, and homeschool student groups in addition to students from several other local youth organizations.

CAMP BUTTER COHORT

The inaugural Camp BUTTER Cohort is a summer-long professional development initiative designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and a sustainable career in the arts. Composed of 15 students from the Herron School of Art + Design, the cohort provides students with mentorship, hands-on experiences, and professional networking opportunities. Through workshops, behind-the-scenes experiences, and active participation in BUTTER Fine Art Fair, students gain the knowledge, relationships, and confidence needed to successfully navigate the contemporary art world.

“Camp BUTTER was created because students deserve meaningful opportunities before they’re asked to build a career. Students need mentorship, professional experiences, meaningful connections, and access to opportunities that can transform potential into sustainable careers,” said Deonna Craig, Director of BUTTER Fine Art Fair. “Camp BUTTER is our investment in that future, ensuring that emerging creatives don’t just imagine a place in the arts, they have the tools, community, and confidence to claim it. When we invest in artists at the very beginning of their journey, we strengthen the future of our entire creative ecosystem.”

BUTTER BFA: NEW VOICES IN STUDENT CONTEMPORARY ART

BUTTER’s first student exhibition opportunity allows Bachelor of Fine Arts students to showcase and sell their work alongside professional artists within BUTTER. The participating students were recommended by members of the BUTTER leadership team. Most of the artists will be on site throughout the weekend for meet-and-greet opportunities, and all of their artwork will be available for purchase. This year’s exhibiting student artists include: Dariel Edwards; Kennedy Dowdell; Lauryn Smith; Lael Bickham; Naala Alexis; James Beavers; Naomi Turnipseed; Kheyarra; Nari Kelley; Breezy; Luke Johnson; Charlecia Tillman; and Jaedin Evans.

“New Voices brings together students at a turning point in their artistic journeys, emphasizing the different ways we work with material, process, and personal creativity,” said BUTTER BFA artist Dariel Edwards. “Through painting, collage, ceramics, woodworking, metalwork, sculpture, and mixed media, each artist offers a distinct view of discovering and defining a creative identity.”

Since its inception in 2021, BUTTER has welcomed 65,000+ attendees including more than 15,000 young people as part of BUTTER’s free admission for 18 and under policy, supported by Eli Lilly and Company. BUTTER has made an undeniable impact on the art world and the Indianapolis community, welcoming 26 curators and 281 contemporary artists who have sold more than $1,500,000 worth of artwork, including 28 BUTTER artwork acquisitions by 16 major institutions for permanent collections. 

Tickets are now on sale at www.butterartfair.com. General Admission Daily tickets are $40 per person which includes one-day access, VIP Weekend tickets are $75 and include three-day unlimited access on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Preview Night tickets are $150 for Thursday night which includes return access throughout the weekend.

BUTTER is made possible because of support from generous organizations and individuals like: 3M, A Couple Cooks, Aasif + Naomi Bade, AES Indiana, Aqua Systems, Ascentra Strategies, Ash & Elm Cider Co., Barnes & Thornburg, Bohall Design & Fabrication, Bone Dry Roofing, Business Furniture Co., C2 Media, Citizens Energy Group, Cunningham Restaurant Group, Downtown Indy Alliance, Elements Financial, Eli Lilly and Company, Enterprise Mobility, Everwise, Grounded Plants, Gifts & Home, Hi and Mighty, Huse Culinary, Inc., IMS / Penske Entertainment, IND Airport, Indiana Sports Corp, Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis Recorder, Indy Health District, IndyGo, IU Health, JO Financial Management, Johnson Jensen Williams, Lumina Foundation, Mays Chemical, Newfields, Nomad Coworking Studio, Old National Bank, OUTFRONT, Printing Partners, Purdue University in Indianapolis, Riley Children’s Foundation, SIMPLICITY Juice, SomeraRoad, The Alexander, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, The Indianapolis Foundation, The Health Club, Visit Indy, Wormser Casey, Yelp Indy.

ABOUT BUTTER

The place where you can be yourself, BUTTER is a multi-day cultural experience that champions the care and economic power of visual artists of the African diaspora. As described by Ebony, Forbes, and The New York Times, BUTTER serves as a new model for justice in the arts, aiming to sell or loan 100% of the exhibiting artworks, giving 100% of the proceeds to the artists.

ABOUT GANGGANG

GANGGANG is a cultural development firm based in Indianapolis working to improve economic value behind artists and the culture they create. Through programs like BUTTER Fine Art Fair and public art collaborations, GANGGANG opens doors for artists and changes how cities invest in the culture their artists make. For more info, visit www.ganggangculture.com or follow on social media @ganggangculture.

MEDIA RESOURCES
Media inquiries, including artist interview requests, advance tours, press passes and photography needs: Keri Kirschner, [email protected], (646) 717-2848