Annual education foundation fundraiser up and running

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Eighteen ceramic piggy banks have been painted, sculpted, glazed, decorated and given new personalities by local artists, students, and other members of the community in the third annual Parade Of Pigs 4 Kids fundraiser for the Benicia Education Foundation.

The pigs are now sitting in their temporary homes, where they will collect donations to benefit the BEF until April 30, before they return to ArtCentric in downtown Benicia.

Then, on May 1, the bidding will begin.

This year the BEF has organized the fundraiser a bit differently, with a minimum bid of $60 and a “buy it now” price of $500 — “for someone who absolutely just wants to ensure that they have that pig,” said Teresa Zabrek of the BEF board of directors.

Sound exorbitant? “We have had a pig go for $500 two years in a row,” Zabrek said.

Zabrek said the BEF is really trying to get the community behind the auction itself.

“It means a lot to the artists, and it goes to a good cause,” she said. “Everyone can understand the (April 14 Run for Education). This event, each year we get more people saying, ‘Oh, I get it now! That’s really neat,’ and they love it.

“It’s a very popular event. It’s just each year we need to keep growing the group and the understanding level.”

Bidding on pigs will close at 8 p.m. May 17 during the BEF Spring Celebration at the Veterans Memorial Hall.

People from out of town need not despair if they wish to place a bid on one of the pigs, Zabrek said.

“Anyone can bid,” she said. “All they need to do is give Aline at ArtCentric a call, or get in touch with us at the BEF and we can put in their bid for them.”

The pigs are at the following locations:

“Mrs. Bloom” by Shayna Barrall and Mireya Cabral-Mixco, Camellia Tea Room, 828 First St.

“Peace Sign Piggy” by Elijah Hahn-Smith and Nicklaus Lucero, Parks & Rec Center, 370 East L St.

“Swine Lake” by Nikki Basch-Davis, Benicia Jazzercise, 378 Military East.

“Spicy Swine” by Mara Guerin, Randy’s Bar & Grill, 727 First St.

“Spider Pig” by Jian Bumatay, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St.

“Cypork” by Sean Thompson, Computer 1, 737 First St.

“Wild Hog,” Lily Hayward, Fantastic Sams, 75 Solano Square.

“Bat Pig” by Josiah Peterson, Benicia Library, 150 East L St.

“Corvus Porkus” by Keri Luiz, Rellik Tavern, 726 First St.

“Life’s a Rainbow” by Shannon Johnstone, Double Rainbow, 560 First St.

“Places to Go and See” by Elizabeth, Bookshop Benicia, 636 First St.

“Pig Palette” by Craig Britton, Estey Real Estate, 935 First St.

“El Dia de los Muertos” by Harper Tooch, Sandoval’s, 640 First St.

“Keys to My Soul” by Blake Zabrek, the Loft Wine Bar, 280 First St.

“Flying Pig” by Terry C. Hughes, Benicia Main Street, 90 First St.

“Titanium Garden” by Kelsey Wright, First Impressions, 832 First St.

“Sweet & Sour Pork” by BHS Art Class 1 and Art Class 2, Benicia Magazine, 611 First St.

“Don’t Bug Me” by Aline Karpoyan, Earthly Nutrition Studio, 872 Southampton Road.

The pigs will be at the listed locations until April 30, and return to ArtCentric, 733 First St., May 1. Bidding for the pigs will begin at 4 p.m. May 1, and continue until 8 p.m. May 17.

For more information call ArtCentric at 707-745-9553 or the Benicia Education Foundation at 866-325-6395, or visit BeniciaEducationFoundation.org.