INDIANAPOLIS – Cultural development and creative advocacy firm GANGGANG recently announced the return of BUTTER, North America’s most equitable fine art fair, showcasing the works of more than 50 Black visual artists from Indiana and across the country. BUTTER advocates for the care and economic viability of Black visual artists, promoting equity in the arts all while fueling the creative economy.
Last year, BUTTER welcomed 8,000+ attendees, selling 109 pieces of art for a combined total of $250,000 during the four-day fair, with post-sales reaching $210,000. BUTTER is responsible for more than $500,000 in artwork sales in just two years, maximizing earnings of 72 artists by giving them 100% of the profit for the sale of their work. The impact and message of the event are immeasurable, with the innovative new model reaching more 10 million people thus far.
“BUTTER is quickly becoming the blueprint for elevating and caring for artists of color,” said Mali Bacon, Executive Director of GANGGANG. “BUTTER seeks an equitable and reparational process designed to benefit the economic viability of the artists. As such, we do not require a fee for participation, nor do we take a commission on the sale of the work.”
Made possible by returning Title Sponsor AES Indiana and Presenting Sponsors JPMorgan Chase and Newfields, BUTTER will take place in 40,000 square feet of space at the historic Stutz factory building in downtown Indianapolis, including the new outdoor courtyard and a raw exhibition space on the fourth floor. Malina Simone Bacon and Alan Bacon, founders of GANGGANG and BUTTER, will serve as Creative Directors for the fair alongside Braydee Euliss, Director of Curatorial Affairs. GANGGANG’s Alyse Tucker Bounds joins the curatorial team as Associate Curator to support new projects. The full team includes soon-to-be-announced guest curators who will work in alignment with GANGGANG’s larger focus on artist care, artists’ rights and ownership.
Wednesday, August 30: Artist Reception (BUTTER artists only)
Thursday, August 31: Preview Night, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 31: Founders’ Dinner (private)
Friday, September 1: Opening Day and Night, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, September 2: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., plus MELT dance party 9 p.m. to midnight
Sunday, September 3: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus Testimony Service at 2 p.m.
“BUTTER is a living art fair, curated with intention and with a thoughtful approach,” said Deonna Craig, the first full-time BUTTER Fine Art Fair Director. “This year is all about exploring the transformative power of centering beauty, equity, and culture. As a past exhibiting BUTTER artist, I have witnessed the benefits of bringing together collectors, creatives, and community. This is the gap BUTTER was designed to fill. It’s an honor to help GANGGANG push boundaries and elevate black artists in the national conversation.”
Designed to be accessible and open to the public, the experiential fine art fair will also include a series of artist talks and engagement opportunities, plus dance performances, live music, and sounds curated by Deckademics and DJ Grapevine. Weekend attendees can expect BUTTER-themed bites, a bespoke retail experience, workshops, and historic walking tours of Indiana Avenue Cultural District with Sampson Levingston on select days.
BUTTER General Admission tickets go on sale in July and are $40, which includes unlimited access to three different days and experiences on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Preview Night tickets for Thursday are $175 and include General Admission weekend return access. Students 18 and under are encouraged to attend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at no cost.
For ticket sales, details on the artists and curators, and for daily lists of programming, follow BUTTER on IG @butterartfair and at www.butterartfair.com.
