BUTTER Returns: What To Eat and Drink at the Fine Art Fair

banner image by Gabrielle Minion

Fine Art and a celebration of culture is taking over the Stutz this week through the 31st with the return of BUTTER Fine Art Fair. The event is back for its fifth year of spotlighting black artists from Indiana through equitable representation. 

Since 2021, BUTTER has seen over 46 thousand attendees and over $900 thousand in artwork sales, all of which went directly to the artists and creators. GANGGANG, the organization behind the fine art fair, is one of the biggest names in cultural development in the Indy area, having a hand in the IndyGo Music In Transit series, a commercial real estate initiative called In the Mix, and the 2024 NBA All-Star Tip-Off Ceremony. 

BUTTER is, at its center, a celebration of fine art, but the event spreads beyond that, with film events, dance parties, pop-ups, festival vendors, and, of course, local food. Here’s a taste of BUTTER 2025:

Preview Night- Thursday

This ticketed event offers guests a first look at the work on display, along with food from Tinker Street and shrimp from St. Elmo’s. Tickets include general access throughout the weekend. Simplicity Juice will also be providing a custom label juice cocktail.

Artist Afterparty at Gather 22 – Thursday

You’ll find Byrne’s Pizza serving up slices all weekend at the Stutz, but they’ll also be serving the BUTTER artists at Gather 22 for an afterparty at the close of preview night. 

Ju’s Juke Joint

As an homage to the former Indianapolis jazz scene along historic Indiana Avenue, BUTTER presents this three-day jazz club pop-up. Ju’s Juke Joint is open to all BUTTER ticket holders, with live music from local artists like Clint Breeze, Chreece, Baby Ebony, and Rob Dixon. For food and drink, Tru-Taste Indy and Maxine’s Chicken and Waffles are coming together for a collaborative menu. This exclusive spot can be found in the pink warehouse on 10th street, across from the Stutz. 

Cunningham Restaurant Group’s 5-Course VIP Tasting Menu – Friday and Saturday

Taking over the BUTTER Loft, a chef-curated dining experience from Executive Chef Carl Chambers and Chef de Cuisine Colin Hilton. 5 courses, shared communal-style, have been designed to echo BUTTER’s 5-year celebration of fine art and cultural connection. Only one seating is available per night for this exclusive dining experience. Tickets are available at $250 per diner and include a General Admission to the rest of the fair.

Sunday’s Private Tea Party (collectors only)

Tea’s Me Café will be catering an exclusive tea party on Sunday. This one is a private event with their Collector’s Club– by invitation only.

BUTTER Exclusives

Ash & Elm is bringing back their spiced apple cider, “Apple Butter Dreams”, in collaboration with GANGGANG. Artist Byron Elliott of Elliott and Co Supply designed the label. The flavor took inspiration from chef Tanorria Askew’s apple butter.

His Place Eatery is offering up BUTTER Flights, which is exactly what it sounds like, at both of their brick and mortar locations throughout the weekend. They’ve developed four flavors of butter to sample: Peach, Strawberry, Sweet Potato, and Orange Ginger. 

Additionally, find these food and drink vendors throughout the weekend:

TeMi Beverages, Lick Indy Ice Cream, The Health Club, Gordon’s Milkshake Bar, NUTSTOGO, Pharm-Free Life, Black Leaf Vegan, Indy Porkopolis, J&J A Taste of Home, Kona Ice, Samanos Mexican Grill, and Salamat Cookies.