*This Labor Day Weekend, the fifth edition of the BUTTER Fine Art Fair will take center stage in Indianapolis, showcasing Black creativity, culture, and economic empowerment. Founded by cultural start-up GANGGANG, BUTTER remains the nation’s only fine art fair where 100% of sales go directly to Black artists, with no commission taken.
“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,” Simone added.
Since its launch in 2021, BUTTER has generated over $900,000 in revenue for more than 189 Black artists, helped 24 artists secure works in museum collections, and welcomed nearly 50,000 attendees into spaces celebrating Black creativity and community. The fair addresses the underrepresentation of Black artists in U.S. collections—currently accounting for only about 2% of acquisitions—while also countering recent cuts in public funding for the arts.
This year, the fair introduces three new curators: Jacqueline ‘Jac’ Forbes, the operator of Malibu’s only Black- and woman-owned gallery; Janice Bond, a Houston-based arts leader; and Samuel Trotter from Detroit, a returning curator and multidisciplinary artist. Their combined expertise expands the national and international presence of artists showcased at the fair.
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BUTTER Fine Art Fair returns tomorrow August 28–31 at The Stutz for its fifth year celebrating the work of established, independent, and emerging Black artists from Indiana & nationwide.#BUTTER #GangGang https://t.co/wrOz3rTfYC pic.twitter.com/x2v6XtwwIP
— annemariewthr (@AnneMarieWTHR) August 27, 2025
“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. “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.”
The fair will take place at the historic Stutz Factory building in downtown Indianapolis and features an expanded exhibition hall, new retail experiences, live music, film, and immersive family activities. MELT, a 21+ multi-sensory after-hours dance party curated by DJ Grapevine Nigel Long, will return on Saturday, August 30. Headlining performances include T.I.’s son Buddy Red (formerly Messiah) and special guest Khalil Kinsey of the Kinsey Collection, the largest private Black art collection.
Notable acquisitions from previous fairs include Israel Solomon’s “Spades Game, 2024,” purchased by Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, and works by FITZ and Micah Johnson acquired by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Other collectors include Kyra Epps and Indiana University Bloomington’s Indiana Memorial Union.
BUTTER represents more than an art fair—it’s a movement celebrating Black joy, resilience, and cultural preservation. Guests under 18 enter free, and artists pay no participation fee, ensuring that the fair maximizes earnings for creators while providing a welcoming, community-centered experience.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit butterartfair.com.
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