BUTTER

Overview

Celebrating five years of fine art, BUTTER Fine Art Fair powered by AES Indiana will return Labor Day Weekend for the exhibit’s fifth iteration. BUTTER showcases the work of established, independent, and emerging Black artists from Indiana and across the globe, serving as a new model for economic justice in the arts.

Dedicated to transforming artists’ mindsets and careers, the no-commission fair works to maximize artist earnings by selling or loaning 100% of the exhibition, giving 100% of the proceeds from art sales to the artists. Artists pay no fee to participate and guests under 18 pay no fee to enter the immersive three-day event.

“Amid a polarizing social and political environment, BUTTER continues to promote resiliency, possibility, and culture,” said Malina Simone Bacon, Co-Founder of GANGGANG and BUTTER. “Year five marks a major milestone for the fine art fair and tells of Indy’s commitment to talent retention, economic development, and innovation in the arts. This year we will eclipse $1 million in sales for artists, and we’ll continue to inspire thousands of guests each day.”

BUTTER welcomes three new curators this year, including: Jacqueline ‘Jac’ Forbes, operator of Malibu’s only Black- and woman-owned art gallery; Janice Bond, a Houston-based visionary arts leader focused on the intersection of art, architecture, and cultural innovation; and Samuel Trotter, a multifaceted artist, curator, and gallery owner from Detroit working in both visual and culinary mediums, returning as a curator after participating as an artist in BUTTER 2023. This year marks the largest curatorial team for BUTTER since its inception, with guest curators bringing even more national and international artists to the Midwest fair.

“I am thrilled to be working with the BUTTER Fine Art Fair team and to be in Indy for the first time,” said Jac Forbes, BUTTER Curator regarding this year’s lineup. “When I learned of the mission, we were instantly aligned and I’ve come to know so many incredible artists here. I hope you’ll enjoy what we’ve put together.”

Since its inception in 2021, BUTTER has welcomed 46,000+ attendees and 189 artists who have sold more than $900,000 worth of artwork, including 24 BUTTER artwork acquisitions by 11 major institutions for permanent collections. Last year alone, 64 artworks sold with an average sales price per artwork $2,400, with notable sales including: Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers acquired an Israel Solomon’s “Spades Game, 2024”; The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis acquired “Saturday Morning, 2024”, by FITZ and “Dreamgazer, 2024”, by Micah Johnson; Kyra Epps, TV producer, purchased a Gary Gee mask entitled “I See You King, 2024”; The Indiana Memorial Union at Indiana University Bloomington also acquired several pieces for their permanent collection.

The fair will take place this year at the historic Stutz factory building in downtown Indianapolis, featuring an expanded exhibition hall and new retail experience, plus plenty of surprise activations to keep attendees engaged and inspired. MELT, a 21+ multi-sensory, after-hours dance party curated by DJ Grapevine Nigel Long is also back for more, taking place Saturday, August 30 after BUTTER in downtown Indianapolis.

Schedule:

• Thursday, August 28: Preview Night (6-8 pm)
• Friday, August 29: Education Day sponsored by Lumina Foundation Opening Day and Night (11 am-10 pm)
• Saturday, August 30: BUTTER Day 2 (11 am-10 pm)
• Saturday, August 30: MELT: Naptown’s Hottest Dance Party (10 pm-3 am)
• Sunday, August 31: BUTTER Day 3 (11 am-6 pm)

K-8, high school, and college groups are encouraged to explore the exhibition on Friday, August 29 before the show opens to the public as part of BUTTER Education Day sponsored by Lumina Foundation. This magical tour offers students a sneak peek behind the scenes of BUTTER, including remarks from BUTTER leaders, curators, and neighborhood historians, and is made possible with support from sponsors like Indiana Sports Corp. Register here for group for Education Day. Students 18 and under are welcome to attend BUTTER on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at no cost, as part of a long-standing partnership with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

General admission tickets cost $50 per person, which includes unlimited access to BUTTER on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Preview Night tickets are $175 for Thursday night and include general admission with weekend return access. New in 2025 is the opportunity to buy sponsor perks by purchasing a VIP Pass, which includes access to VIP-only spaces, early buying hours, and more for $400.

BUTTER is made possible because of support from generous organizations and individuals like Title Sponsor AES Indiana, Lumina Foundation, SomeraRoad, Bill & Brenda Shrewsberry, Five Four, Grounded Plants Gifts & Home, and returning sponsors 2nd Street Creative, A Couple Cooks, Aqua Systems, Black Onyx Management, Barnes & Thornburg, C2 Media, Citizens Energy, Dorsey Foundation, Elements Financial, Indy Chamber, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy Sports Corp, NFP, an Aon Company, OUTFRONT Media, Printing Partners, Pacers Sports and Entertainment, Solid State, Tinker Street, VisionLoft, and Visit Indy.

For a video recap on the making of BUTTER, click here.