INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — What was conceived as a way to meld art and equity during the pandemic and the nation’s racial reckoning is about to celebrate 5 years, and BUTTER is now a signature end-of-summer celebration in Indianapolis.
Tickets for this year’s BUTTER Fine Art Fair went on sale Wednesday, as the fair that promotes equity for Black and Brown artists hits a milestone anniversary. The fair is set to return to what has been its home for the last four years – The Stutz complex downtown, transforming the former car factory into a showcase of art and culture – with a little bit of party atmosphere thrown in for good measure.
BUTTER is put on each year by the cultural firm GANGGANG, founded during the pandemic by Mali and Alan Bacon. The couple had long been involved in the arts community in Indianapolis but say they were looking for a new way to show that the arts could be part of the local economy and part of a reckoning of who we are as a society.
“If everything 2020 was about what separates people – from the health pandemic to the race pandemic, we knew that art and culture was going to be the conduit to bring people together,” said Alan Bacon on WISH-TV’s “Business Equity & Opportunities” show in August 2024.
What separates BUTTER from most other art fairs is that most people who attend pay an admission fee, while artists don’t have to pay a fee to have their works on display. GANGGANG says it means all profits from sales of artwork go directly to the artists, as opposed to art fair organizers.
GANGGANG says that since its inception, BUTTER has hosted 189 artists who have sold more than $900,000 worth of artwork. The firm says last year, 64 artworks sold with an average sales price of almost $2,400 per artwork. Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton was among those attending BUTTER; he purchased the Israel Solomon painting “Spades Game, 2024” at last year’s festival.
Something new at BUTTER this year will be a spotlight on film, according to the art fair’s organizers. “Filmmakers are artists, too, so this year we’re going to highlight local filmmakers that have a story to tell,” said Deonna Craig, BUTTER Fine Art Fair director during an interview on WISH-TV’s Daybreak. “Some will be highlighting creatives. Some will be highlighting community partners. BUTTER is going to ensure we all learn more about them.”
Before the art fair opens to the general public, students will have a chance to explore BUTTER for free as part of the fair’s “Education Day.” GANGGANG says students will also get to meet BUTTER leaders, local historians and artists during their tours.
It wouldn’t be BUTTER without a party, and while GANGGANG typically features DJ’s and other artists throughout the art fair, the organization says it’s signature “MELT” party will also return this year for some late night fun. GANGGANG calls MELT, ” 21+ multi-sensory, after-hours dance party” curated by “DJ Grapevine” Nigel Long, also GANGGANG’s Senior Director of the Indianapolis Market. MELT takes place Saturday, August 30 after BUTTER the fair shuts down for the evening.
BUTTER runs August 28-31 at The Stutz. Ticket prices start at $55 and are free for those 18 and under. Click here to find out more information and to purchase tickets.