Now in its fourth year, Butter is both a major art fair in Indianapolis and a staple of Labor Day weekend. Works from 60 artists form the centerpiece of a multi-day event that includes live music, dance performances, poetry, DJ sets, custom merchandise, food trucks and discussions.
Alan Bacon and Malina Simone Bacon, co-founders of creative agency Ganggang, launched Butter 2021 to make equity and cultural reparations for Black artists a high-profile event that promotes Indianapolis’ creative economy. The fair’s goal is to sell all artwork on display and return all proceeds to the artists.
Butter has grown with each edition, and this year is no different. Former professional baseball player Micah Johnson and author and activist Kimberly Drew will be among the artists and curators giving talks in the Conversation Cove in the pink main exhibit hall. The new outdoor Kids’ Zone, a partnership between the fair and the Children’s Museum, will feature interactive activities.
And the Stutz Car Museum features a temporary pop-up exhibit with cars from Indiana manufacturers and an IndyCar from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Butter runs Thursday through Sunday in and around the Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave. Here are the schedules and everything you need to know.
Artists and curators
This year’s Butter curators are Alan Bacon, Malina Simone Bacon; Indianapolis artist Deonna Craig; Colette Pierce Burnette, former CEO and President of Newfields and member of the Martin University Board of Trustees; Nakeyta Moore, performance artist and creative director of ARTLOUDLA; and visual arts manager Kendall Hurns.
International, national and local artists include Autumn Breon, Barry Yusufu, Amiah Mims, Faith Blackwell, Gary Gee, Justin A. Carney and Tasha Beckwith.
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Butter plan
18:00–20:00 Thursday: Preview evening
Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 11am-6pm: Activities include stage performances hosted by Rusty Redenbacher, walk-and-talk tours by Sampson Levingston, and art talks.
9pm–2am Saturday: Melt dance party at Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave.
For the full schedule, visit butterartfair.com.
How to buy tickets for Butter
Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at butterartfair.com.
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.
