Collectors, creators, and cultural tastemakers converged for weekend celebrating Black art and creative ownership

LOS ANGELES (March 5, 2026) – BUTTER Fine Art Fair, the no-commission art fair celebrating Black visual artists, concluded a powerful inaugural weekend in Los Angeles, selling more than half the show—58 pieces over four days—with 100% of artwork sales going directly to the artist. Held in Inglewood’s Hollywood Park, the Black fine art fair brought together more than 4,000 collectors, cultural leaders, artists, students, and community members for a dynamic celebration of contemporary art and culture.

Strong Sales Reflect Continued Demand for Black Artists
Reinforcing BUTTER’s growing influence as a marketplace and cultural force, participating artists represented a range of disciplines including painting, mixed media, photography, and sculpture. Sixty percent of artists sold works during the weekend, with 5 artists selling out all of their works. 

“The response we received during LA Art Week reinforces what we’ve always known—Black artists are not niche; they are central to the contemporary art market,” said BUTTER LA curatorial lead Nakeyta Moore. “The sales from the first-ever LA show reflect both collector confidence and the power of creating a space where culture and commerce can coexist without compromise.”

Celebrities and the Community Show Up for Art and Culture
BUTTER LA drew more than 4,000 guests throughout the weekend, including collectors, curators, tastemakers, and art enthusiasts from Los Angeles and beyond. The celebration kicked off with an exclusive VIP Preview Night that welcomed notable guests throughout the weekend including:

• > André 3000 (Outkast)
• > Yvonne Orji (Insecure)
• > Karen Pittman (Forever)
• > Gail Bean (Snowfall)
• > Mike Epps (Comedian, The Upshaws)
• > Rhonda Morman and Malika Blessing (Wicked City)
• > Hebru Brantley (Artist)
• > Jerrie Johnson (Harlem)
• > Jerry Lorenzo (Fashion Designer, Fear of God)
• > Bernard and Shirley Kinsey (Renowned Art Collectors, The Kinsey Collection)
• > Coodie Simmons (Director)
• > Ingrid Best (Wine Négociant, iBest Wines)

The opening night energy set the tone for a weekend centered on culture, creativity, and community as select artists received honors including:

• > Alan Mills Best in Show: Ashley Nora (Indianapolis)
• > Mike and Kyra Epps Cultural Impact Award: Cornelius Tulloch (Miami)
• > MACRO Curators Choice Award: India Cruse Griffin (Indianapolis)

Dynamic Programming Engages the Community
Beyond the exhibition floor, BUTTER LA featured a robust lineup of programming designed to deepen engagement and conversation, including:

• > BUTTER Education Day hosted nearly 1,000 middle school students from the Inglewood Unified School District where they had the chance to meet the artists and curators before the show opened to the public; students also got to participate in hands-on art project led by Summaeverythang artist Lauren Halsey;
• > A special screening of the documentary “Who is Ernie Barnes?” created by Director Coodie Simmons;
• > TEDxInglewood-led conversation by singer and artist Ro James discussing the intersection of art and community;
• > Collector conversation featuring Ingrid Best (iBest Wines), Alahna Jade Brim (Linden) and Chelsea Crowder Luke (JP Morgan Chase) about collecting with intention;
• > “Why BUTTER?” conversation from BUTTER LA Advisory Council members Jac Forbes, Khalil Kinsey, Isis Arias, and Michael Agadoa;
• > Live choir performance from Deanna Dixon, Robert Dixon and The CommUNITY Choir honoring super producers and pastors Warryn Campbell, Shep Crawford, and Nisan Stewart.

“The supporters, patrons and collectors of BUTTER LA came from the landscape of fairs taking place during Frieze Week. They were pleasantly surprised by a fresh and unique way that art and culture is experienced,“ says BUTTER LA advisor, art executive and strategist Jacqueline Forbes.

A Growing Cultural Platform
Hosted during Los Angeles Art Week, BUTTER LA distinguished itself as a culturally grounded and accessible entry point into the contemporary art market. The fair welcomed new and emerging collectors alongside established buyers, reinforcing its mission to democratize access while driving measurable economic impact. Closing out Black History Month, the fair cemented its commitment to not only honoring Black artistic excellence, but actively advancing it through ownership, visibility and sales.

“Los Angeles welcomed BUTTER with open arms,” said Malina Simone Bacon, co-founder, creative director and curator of BUTTER LA. “The enthusiasm, the turnout from collectors and community, the conversations and general response has been deeply affirming. We’re grateful for the support and excited to continue building the movement in this city.”

Following a milestone weekend, BUTTER LA will return to Los Angeles in 2027, reaffirming its commitment to generating economic opportunity for Black artists while creating a vibrant, accessible cultural experience for the Los Angeles community. For more information about BUTTER LA, visit https://butterartfair.com.

ABOUT BUTTER
BUTTER Fine Art Fair is a multi-day fine art fair that centers the care and economic viability of Black visual artists. Anchored in Indianapolis over Labor Day weekend, BUTTER serves as a new model for economic justice in the arts and a catalyst for career transformation. Aiming to sell or loan 100% of the exhibited artworks, BUTTER gives 100% of sales proceeds to the artists.

MEDIA RESOURCES
Media inquiries, including interview requests, advance tours, press passes and photography:
Keri Kirschner, [email protected]
Paris Tyler, [email protected]