Serious collectors pay $150 and up for a ticket to get into preview night on Aug. 29 at the Butter Fine Art Fair, so they can be the first to meet the artists and buy artwork. GANGGANG, the organizers, will give 100% of sales back to the 50 Black artists whose works are on exhibit Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at the Stutz.
Also included in Butter ticket prices: The chance to spot a celebrity or two, like Dame Dash (last year), former MLB player Micah Johnson (this year), and IU men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson and his wife, Terri (last year and this year).
The Woodsons, who have been married since 1983, started collecting art more than three decades ago. But, Terri said, “I want to make it clear that we consider ourselves C-grade art enthusiasts. When we purchase art, we do it based on a feeling we get from the piece — not so much the artist’s price.”
In other words: “We like what we like,” she said. “Next week, it could be a Mickey Mouse painting, and the following week it could be a naked sculpture.”
As the couple preps for Butter preview night, Terri — who was traveling — answered a few questions via email about the first piece they bought together, that missed opportunity, and advice for a first-time buyer.
What was the first artwork that you bought as a couple?
Our very first piece 30-plus years ago was a John Biggers print. We lived in Katy, Texas — Biggers was very generous to the AKA’s charities. At our event, I bid on the print and I was fortunate enough to win.
What I enjoyed about this print was how it made me feel as I stood in front of it. Biggers’ art has this way of making you ask yourself, “What is the true interpretation of this piece?” This piece is in storage.
Is there a work in your collection that you sit and stare at or enjoy the most?
Most of our artwork depicts the hard work of our ancestors working on plantations. This helps me to stay grounded — I want to remind myself what Black people had to endure and the strength it took for them to survive.
These original pieces are in Atlanta in storage. I cannot recall the artists’ names.
When an artist is in the early stages of their career, how do you decide to invest in them?
Investing in “the beginning” — well, if I was that smart, I would have an incredible Biggers collection. When we were first introduced to Biggers, he had a lot of his original pieces in his garage.
My girlfriend understood the assignment. (Biggers was going to be something special.) Her family purchased a lot of his original pieces. I purchased his prints.
What art purchase are you most proud of?
I am proud I purchased an original John Biggers piece — I did not know what I had until I went home and did some research on it. I didn’t realize I had found an original John Biggers at an auction.
Does Mike display any original artwork in his office at IU?
No, Woody does not display any artwork in his office. There have been artists who have gifted him with some incredible pieces. One particular piece is (of) a young Mike Woodson and coach (Bobby) Knight.
For first-time collectors at an event like Butter, what advice do you have?
Art needs to speak to you as though it is speaking with you directly. If I see a piece in Nigeria on a side road and it feels good to me, I will purchase it.
Amanda Kingsbury is Mirror Indy’s managing editor of innovation. You can reach her at amanda.kingsbury@mirrorindy.org, or follow her on social at @amandakingsbury.
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