Downloads
Full view (jpeg: 30.06 KB)
Learn more about copyright and access restrictions for use of materials from Worthington Memory.
Pig Iron BBQ Pig Statue Being Lifted into Place is a picture, with genre photograph. Its dimensions are 4 in. x 6 in..
It was created around 2001-2002.
This photograph shows the iconic pig statue in front of the Pig Iron BBQ, 5295 North High Street, being lifted into place. The statue is in a harness and being raised from above; visible behind the statue is a ladder, and in the foreground is a truck. The view is looking north from the south side of the restaurant, with the right side of the statue visible, which states "Pig Iron BBQ" in red paint on its side.
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 for the restaurant by artist and signmaker William (bc) (Bill) Collins, 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, 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.
It covers the topics restaurants, signs, art and artists.
It features the person William (bc) (Bill) Collins, 1943-2020.
It features the organization Pig Iron BBQ & Fish Shack.
It covers the city Columbus.
The original is in a private collection.
This file was reformatted digital in the format video/jpeg.
The Worthington Memory identification code is wcd0437.
This metadata record was human prepared by Worthington Libraries on December 2, 2022.