Local cultural development firm GANGGANG introduces BUTTER, a multi-day fine art fair that will showcase the works of 30+ Black visual artists. A first for Indianapolis, BUTTER Art Fair will feature works by national and local artists including Najee Dorsey of Black Art in America, Kerry James Marshall, Kaila Austin, Tashema Davis, Courtland Blade, LaShawnda Crowe Storm, Greg Rose Carter, Elizabeth Catlett and more. The event will take place in an empty hangar space in the Stutz building downtown, September 2-5, 2021.
Mali Jeffers and Alan Bacon, co-founders of cultural development firm GANGGANG, created BUTTER—the couple’s first major art fair—with the intent to build equity in the arts and the creative economy. The pair is working alongside a team of expert curators, including Samuel Levi Jones, Sarah Hoover, A’Lelia Bundles, and Braydee Euliss to elevate these artists’ work on a national level.
“In the new world, I’d like to see more stand-alone fine-art experiences in the Midwest that center Black artists and offer a national platform,” said Mali Jeffers, co-founder of GANGGANG. “We are proud to produce an art fair that fills this gap, placing culture and equity at the forefront. We’re pushing the barriers until there are none, and together we will elevate the narrative on fine art in Indianapolis and beyond.”
The BUTTER Art Fair will kick-off on Wednesday, September 1, at 11 a.m. with an official ribbon-cutting and dedication of The Stutz’s first-ever exterior mural, done by local artist Ashley Nora. The mural pays homage to Indianapolis’ cultural leaders and to the Stutz’ neighborhood—the Indiana Avenue Cultural District—and its legacy of Black artistic entrepreneurship.
- Thursday, September 2: Preview Night
- Friday, September 3: Grand Opening, 4 p.m. to10 p.m.
- Saturday, September 4: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, September 5: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Unlike other art fairs, BUTTER seeks not only an equitable process, but a reparational process,” Alan Bacon, co-founder of GANGGANG, said. “The goal of BUTTER is to sell or loan 100% of the works and for the artists to receive 100% of the sale profits.”
“It’s time for the art world to face change, real change,” Sarah Hoover, co-curator for BUTTER, said. “BUTTER is political and radical, and it’s a way to reclaim the history and voices of the incredible BIPOC artists in Indiana and nationally.”
As a part of its mission to elevate Indianapolis creatives in the national conversations, GANGGANG is also engaging 25 + Indy-based creative entrepreneurs to make the event possible.
Open to the general public, the art fair will also include live music and DJs, BUTTER themed bites and merchandise, as well as artist workshops on select days. The weekend will conclude with a testimony service led by Ebony Chappel and Sarah J in the City.
General admission tickets are available for purchase online for $25. For more information, visit butterartfair.com.
About GANGGANG
GANGGANG is a cultural development firm on a mission to produce, promote and preserve culture in cities as a means toward equity. GANGGANG discovers opportunities to spark activity in the creative economy. For more information, visit ganggangculture.com or follow them on social media @ganggangculture.
By Chadd Scott
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