Cincinnati--UC Physicians and The Barrett Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati (UC) are participating in the Big Pig Gig, a local community-wide public art event celebrating Cincinnati's heritage. More than 350 decorated fiberglass pigs fill the streets of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky through October.

Among those are UC Physicians-sponsored Porkus Welby, MD, on display at Twin Lakes in Eden Park. The pig was designed by artist Chris Bieri to resemble a physician, wearing blue scrubs and sporting a stethoscope and pager.

"We thought this would be a neat way to support this project and have fun in the process," said J. Randolph Hillard MD, CEO of UC Physicians and UC Professor and Chair of Psychiatry. "We even went so far as to paint our Patient Service Center phone number on our porcine physician's pager. It was fun when one of the local TV stations actually called the number and did a story."

The Barrett Cancer Center received sponsorship funding for four pigs, Yellow Submarine (Novartis Oncology), Hamri Matisse (Amgen), The World Peace Pig (Schering-Plough and Roche) and Piggy Max (SmithKline Beecham Oncology and Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology). The vividly colored Yellow Submarine pig, designed by Jennifer Blazer, is a tribute to the Beatles' animated movie The Yellow Submarine and is on display in Lytle Park. Hamri Matisse, designed by Mary Beth Dowlin is based on Henri Matisse's jazz series and is displayed in front of City Hall. The World Peace Pig, appropriately on display in front of The World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky, was created by artist Cindi Sanders to promote world peace. The pig is covered in brilliant yellows and pinks and features quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lennon, Anne Frank and others. Finally, Piggy Max is on display right across the Suspension Bridge in Covington, Kentucky. Artist Dierdre Mahne was inspired by artist Peter Max in her design.

"I love the idea of a community-wide arts project," said Kenneth A. Foon, MD, director of The Barrett Cancer Center. "I wanted to get the Barrett Center involved in this event to recognize and promote the important work being done at the cancer center and also to show the community that we're a part of it."

If you're interested in purchasing one of the pigs, they will be auctioned in two ways: live at Music Hall on November 13 and nationally the first two weeks in November on e-bay. Net proceeds will be split between ArtWorks, an arts-based employment and job training program for youth in the Greater Cincinnati area and producer of the Big Pig Gig, and a charity of the sponsor's choice. For more information about the auction please call (513) 333-0388.