AT 5, BUTTER FINE ART FAIR CONTINUES TO PUSH EQUITY IN BLACK ART
The fifth edition of Butter Fine Art Fair returned to Indianapolis over Labor Day weekend, delivering once again on its mission to celebrate Black creativity with equity at the center. Founded by Alan and Mali Bacon, Butter has quickly established itself as a transformative space in the fine arts world — one that maximizes opportunities for artists by ensuring 100% of art sales go directly to them.
This year’s fair highlighted not only Indiana-based talent but also a dynamic showing from Chicago. Pigment International, a longtime champion of Black art and culture, marked its fifth consecutive year as a media partner to Butter.
A standout moment came when Chicago artist Blake Lenoir sold his striking oil and oil pastel on linen, The Allegory of Bruce Lee Roy, to Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. The sale captured Butter’s unique atmosphere — where emerging and established artists connect directly with collectors in a spirit of cultural pride and celebration. Photographer Clifton Henri also exhibited work at the fair.
Oil painting in particular emerged as a defining medium at this year’s show. From Lenoir’s textured allegory to Marcus Robin’s luminous canvases invoking European aesthetics while celebrating Black culture, and Kevin West’s oversized Nanna’s Kitchen, which evoked memory through hyper-realistic detail, oils were at the forefront of Butter’s visual storytelling. Even Paul Bacardi Smith’s powerful Waltermelanin®, at first glance a watermelon but layered with the horrors of the Middle Passage, showcased how oil on canvas can deliver depth and historical weight.
Other unforgettable works included Lovie Olivia’s mixed media collages on reclaimed medical files, a bold critique of the healthcare system; Gary Gee’s miniature ceramics that captivated students during educational tours. Other standouts were Blu Murphy’s quilt-wrapped canvases boldly declaring You Can’t Erase What Matters to Us!; Desi Brown’s whimsical earthenware; and Thanks Theodore’s colorful carpeted dioramas in pink, black, and green, punctuated with toy guns that sparked thoughtful pause.
Los Angeles–based collective Art Melanated featured works from Eddy Ochieng, Nneka Jones, Devi Wesley, Guy Stanley Philoche, Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Chicago native Kevin Williams, adding to the fair’s international reach.
Butter’s commitment to equity and community extended to its curatorial team this year, which included Janice Bond, newly appointed head of the Chicago Public Art Group, alongside LA based curator Jac Forbes. Best in Show honors went to Texas-based artist Asia Estelle, who stunned audiences with ceramic works created from hair.
The weekend was filled with notable appearances and conversations. Khalil Kinsey of the Kinsey Collection attended, as did author A’Lelia Bundles, great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker and a proud Indiana native. Bundles was interviewed by artist Kevin West, further highlighting the deep ties between art and storytelling that Butter fosters.
Butter’s ethos of accessibility was reflected in its policies: no commission fees for artists, free admission for youth under 18, and support from its sponsors that made the experience possible for thousands of attendees.
Looking ahead, Butter’s impact will extend to Chicago, as the Bacons take on programming duties for Pigment International’s Pigmented Black Fine Art Faire, on November 31 under the theme GanGang After Dark.
With its blend of artistry, equity, and community, Butter continues to set the standard for what a truly inclusive fine art fair can be — where culture is honored, artists are empowered, and the future of Black art shines bright.
