Painted Pigs Hit the Red Carpet for 'Piggipalooza'

All painted pigs must dream of the kind of fanfare they received Friday night at Lemont's first ever "Piggipalooza" event.

A screaming crowd stood outside the , 16050 W. 127th St., as shiny black Escalades escorted a white stretch limousine. Imposing bodyguards dressed in black shirts, pants and sunglasses jumped from the cars to surround the limo door.

And then the splendid swine, dressed in their own stunning pigskins, were lifted out one-by-one and carried aloft along a red runner into the building.

The 10 pigs, painted by young artists from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, will be raising money next week to benefit .

Local sponsors paid $350 each to cover the cost of the model pigs. Bidding for each work of art will start at $500 at St. Al's/St. Pat's annual winter gala, Havana Nights, on March 19.

At Piggipalooza, community residents had their last opportunity to get up close and personal with the charming pigs and some of their creators.

"Boaris Frankenswine," crafted by  J. Anthony Kosar, drew a lot of attention for its 3-D details, giving the pig an otherworldly, lifelike appearance. Kosar, who teaches special effects in mask-making and makeup, has a new studio in Westmont.

Carol Luc, a graphic design teacher at the American Academy of Art, painted the White Sox pig. She said one of the pigs' charms is that "they are human scale," meaning they can sit on your couch or fit in a car.

Luc noted that each pig is a unique piece of art that will never be reproduced.

Lisa Porter, head of the creative committee at St. Al's/St. Pat's and senior admissions counselor at the Academy of Art, organized the pig effort.

The works of art are "ambassadors of good will," Porter said. "They carry that message from the artists to students" and then on to the community.

For more information, visit www.PigsOnParadeInLemont.com.