5th annual Flying Piggy fundraising event!

The 2011 Flying Piggies have come and gone!

ArtiCulture - where pig's fly.

At ArtiCulture we have a charming little pig tradition. It began back when we were still holding classes in a church basement. We needed to something to hold kids snack money in. (Creative work makes for hungry tummies, don't you know!) We found a plain white piggy bank with wings! That was impressive, but plain white just wasn't going to fly (pun intended). So we slap dash coated it with blue, threw on some puffy white clouds and gave it wings of gold. This piggy is with us today, and is a beloved permanent feature. We still collect snack money in him! (Top photo is of the little pot bellied guy.)

He was instantly popular. Offers to buy and take him home came in regularly. In a moment infused with equal parts silly and creative genius, we decided to make that year's fundraiser out of a dozen flying pigs, painted by our closest artists and teachers. The fundraiser was wildly successful and so now, for five years running, we auction off a dozen newly designed piggies.

This December, for two weeks, the latest dozen dazzingly painted (and still flying!) piggy banks graced us with their presence. Photos are on the side bar, bios and artist credit below.

We invite you to join our e-mail list so you know when next year's crop is on its way in, and keep in the loop about all the other creative and fun things going on at ArtiCulture. You can also find ArtiCulture on Facebook - we love new friends!

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Meet the 2011 Flying Piggies!  

(photos on right in order of listing --- click on photo for larger view) 

1. Amelie is a beautiful French piggie who speaks perfect English with an adorable accent. She loves to paint and is quite talented on the flying trapeze. Look for her work in the galleries of Montmartre. On any given day you may find her gazing out her window towards the Eiffel tower, and dreaming of flying.

Artist: Westy Copeland

2. Calavera is el Piggy de los Muertos, is not spooky but brightly decorated in a celebratory honorarium of the pigs that no longer walk this earth.  Though a bit "bony" she is definitely not of slim stature due to her love of enchiladas and mole.  Her festive and colorful decor catch the eye and awaken the senses.  

Artist: Abbey Kleinert

3. Chomp is a creepy but friendly monster pig who can't understand why he is so unpopular. Equipped with a very impressive set of steak knife sized teeth, this little horror simply uses them to peel the skin off his favorite fruits, not his friends. On an average rainy day you can find Chomp playing in sewer puddles and lapping up chemical waste. Maybe it's his toxic bad breath that puts others off? He'll never know. At least he has his sewer frolicking to keep his strange, and slightly disturbing chinny chin chin up.

Artist: Britt Howe

4. Fifi is the loveliest and most pampered of all the pigs. She loves to paint her hooves and eat bon-bons all day long. She has many outfits that she changes often to match the boudoir wallpapers of her pig pen. She may be a bit vain, but her heart is just as beautiful as her exterior. She saves her piggy pennies to throw fancy parties for her and all her piggy friends. They eat the finest of all slops, roll around in fancy mud, and dance all night long.

Artist: Lucy Voller

5. Glossy Flossy.  Flossy is a black pig and Flossy is glossy!  When the light is just right and Flossy is in the garden, all the lovely flowers and plants are reflected in her glossy coat.  She becomes the talk and envy of all the other farm animals. And this makes her quite pleased with herself, indeed!  

Artist: Mary Bergherr

6. Hilbert Stubblefield: Likes to tell stories. One of his favorite things to do is sit next to a tree and try to fit in. 'Camouflage Hilbert' is what most other animals call him. Curious that he was born with wings, most pigs aren't. Hilbert thought that they were meant for flying, unfortunately the dementia are a bit funny and he can only master a 3" clearance from the ground. This has not helped him in his camouflage efforts as a somewhat flying pig is even less inconspicuous than a flying or not flying one. In any case, please say hello, he is very friendly and will probably tell you a story about the one time when three people walked past him and didn't even notice him hiding behind a hydrangea. He might also try to kiss  your hand, quite the charmer this one.

Artist: Sarah Frances Michalelson

7. Luck is a neo-postmodern day messenger piggie sent from the gods and serves the hood with a mission to unite living earthlings.  When Luck's not chumming it up with the birds and sprites of the hood, he's sending messages of peace, clarity, and insight to peoples in need. His spotted coat is a camouflage adaptation after spending 1,000 years entangled in a vineyard. Luck's release came easily with the help of piggie friends alike.

Artist: Sarah Engen

8. Matilda is the biker babe on everyone's radar. Revving her hog, she cruises the country with wild abandon. Don't be fooled by her edgy exterior, however, as she will gladly make room for you on her bike built for two.  

Artist: Meg Nelson

9. Percy has big plans.  He may have started off as the runt of the litter, but he’s on his way to greatness.  He believed in his hopes and dreams so much, he sprouted wings.   Percy believes in your hopes and dreams too.   Give him a quarter, and tell him your wishes and who knows?  He might just help you make your hopes and dreams come true too.   

Artist: Katie McMurray

10. Pig No. 2 (A.K.A. Jack): Meet Pig No. 2 Also Known as Jack. You may know him best as one of the three little pigs that met their demise when a Nasty wolf tested the durability of their newly built homes. Of course we all know how Jack got a bad rap for his poorly built structure and it’s collapse, but he was not one to give up. He has rebuilt his home with love. A home is a cozy place for Jack. Built with natural materials like local sticks and twigs, the home is not only a place that is welcoming but also earth friendly and a beautiful addition to it’s woodsy environment. In homage to the trials and tribulations he has overcome, he has hand sewn a memory quilt to comfort and warm himself with when nasty winds come huffing and puffing at his door.  

Artist: Emily Taylor

11. Sari is the most fashionable piggy that India has ever seen. She is an icon of beauty with her traditional Indian décor that catches the eye of those who pass by. Every day her skin changes to match the different vibrant outfits of women passing through the streets. Her impeccable charm and grace pull you in and invite you to experience the colorful and popular traditions of India’s culture. The glamour and glitz are inescapable, there’s never a dull moment when Sari comes around.  

Artist: Caiti Hunter

12. Vicki's sense of style intertwines her interest in honoring her grandmothers and her contemporary eye with a street scene twist. Her modo is "Keep an eye on your past while developing your future." If you're looking for someone to participate in a cooperative that offers workshops about urban farming or repurposing clothing, she's your gal.

Artist: Aneesa Adams

Photos courtesy of Josh P. Roberts.