"Mike & Wally's" (Pig Iron) BBQ Pig Statue in Front of the Restaurant

These photographs document the large pig statue and storefront for the Pig Iron BBQ, 5295 North High Street, shortly after its opening in June, 2001. At the time of the restaurant's soft opening, around when this photo was taken, it was called "Mike & Wally's BBQ," and, as seen in the primary image, the pig statue bears these words in red paint. When the restaurant changed its name to the Pig Iron BBQ shortly thereafter, the pig was repainted by its creator, William (bc) (Bill) Collins, with the new name.

Visible behind the pig statue are signs displayed on top of the roof of the restaurant, advertising "Cold Beer," "Pulled Pork," "Ribs and Chicken," "Beef Brisket" and "Corn on the Cob." These signs were also designed and painted by bc.

The Pig Iron BBQ opened at this spot in Beechwold in June 2001, in what had formerly been a McDonald's restaurant. In June, 2012, the Pig Iron changed ownership and became Iron Grill Barbeque & Brew, but the well-known pig sign out front remained.

The sculpture was created from high density urethane built on a framework made by Fortin and carved by bc. The sculpture has LED lights for the eyes.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, artist and signmaker William (bc) (Bill) Collins attended Columbus College of Art and Design when it was still a small art school, majoring in Fine Art. After serving in the Army in Europe, he became a sign artist for businesses throughout the Columbus area, starting his sole ownership sign business in 1978. Over nearly three decades, he created some of the most iconic advertising art in central Ohio.

Before the advent of computers and the use of vinyl, bc designed, created and sold his signs marketing his work through word of mouth. He cut letters with a router, made and pounced patterns, projected designs on a variety of objects then finished the job by painting and installing the sign.

bc created signs for numerous Worthington-area businesses, including Angels on High, Scottie MacBean, Pig Iron BBQ (now Iron Grill Barbeque and Brew), P.K. O'Ryan's, The Old Bag of Nails Pub, Celtic Corner, Magic Cruises & Tours and M.S. Abbott Jewelers.

In addition to his sign art, bc was an accomplished muralist, sculptor and painter of portraits, landscapes and other work, which were exhibited in galleries throughout central Ohio. In April 2022, bc’s 1992, 25-foot mural of the Columbus skyline became part of the permanent collection at The Ohio Arts Council.

bc and his family lived in Worthington for 22 years.