What does it mean to create with purpose?

As part of the 25th Newark Arts Festival opening night, internationally acclaimed artist Bisa Butler sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and scholar Salamishah Tillet for an intimate conversation about the ideas, experiences and intentions that have shaped her work.

Together, they’ll explore Butler’s artistic practice, the stories and people at the center of her portraits and the role that purpose plays in how she creates, evolves and moves through the world as an artist.

Taking place at Express Newark during the NAF2026 Festival Kickoff, Bisa Butler: On Purpose offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the most distinctive artists working today and go beyond the work to understand what drives the artist behind it.

Please note: This is a limited-capacity, separately ticketed experience taking place during the free Newark Arts Festival Kickoff. A Festival Kickoff RSVP does not guarantee admission to the artist talk.

The 25th Newark Arts Festival is powered by Newark Arts Council and supported by: Prudential, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, City of Newark, Newark Arts and Education District, Newark Alliance, Hanini Group, Express Newark, The Newark Museum of Art, NJPAC, Russo Development, Edison Properties, Newark City Parks Foundation, Arts Ed Newark and Newark Public Schools.

This event is free with a suggested donation. Your support helps Newark Arts Council continue creating programs, opportunities and resources for artists and our community.