Labor Day weekend is here, but don’t slam your laptops shut just yet — we’re here to tell you about one of the biggest events you can check out all weekend long.
BUTTER Fine Art Fair is back for its third year, and in case you haven’t heard, BUTTER is a multi-day fine arts fair organized by local cultural development + creative advocacy firm GANGGANG .
The purpose of BUTTER is “to honor and amplify the value and worth of Black artists, serving as a new model for economic justice in the arts and a catalyst for career transformation.”
The art fair will showcase work from more than 50 Indiana-based and national artists including Aaron Coleman, April Bey, DELISHA, Joshua AM Ross, Shabez Jamaal, Terrible Tony, and Yeabsera Tabb.
Last year, BUTTER welcomed 8,000+ attendees and sold 109 pieces of artwork for a combined total of $250,000 during the four-day fair, with post-fair sales bringing in an additional $210,000 — with all proceeds from artwork going directly back to the artist. BUTTER was even recognized nationally by the New York Times .
The art fair also includes conversations with artists in several Q+A sessions.
Photo by INDYtoday team
Again this year, the fine art fair will be held at the historic Stutz complex
at 1060 N. Capitol Ave. Today is opening day of BUTTER and the weekend’s schedule is as follows:
- Friday, Sept. 1 | Opening Day and Night | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 2 | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with MELT 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 3 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Testimony Service at 2 p.m.
Get the full schedules with performances.
Alongside BUTTER, local history lover Sampson Levingston of Through2Eyes will be giving 30-minute walk + talk tours within the Indiana Avenue Cultural District to share the city’s history and why it’s so important to have Black art (back) in this neighborhood.
The tours are free with BUTTER tickets , but you must RSVP . Pro tip: Do it quick because some time slots are already sold out.