A trio of auctions that closed the Tristate's six-month Big Pig Gig outdoor art project has produced a $500,000 endowment for ArtWorks, its sponsor, and more than $357,000 for 135 charities.

        Leading recipients in Greater Cincinnati included the Cincinnati Ballet, $33,412; Contemporary Arts Center, $20,300; Civic Garden Center, $18,750; Cincinnati Art Museum, $12,107; Mirror Lake Project, $11,700; FreeStore/FoodBank, $9,000; Neediest Kids of All, $8,650; and College of Mount St. Joseph, $6,000.

        The amounts were released by ArtWorks organizers Friday.

        The sales of more than 230 pigs brought $437,500 in online bidding, $401,500 in a live auction at Music Hall and $19,100 in a silent auction at the Westin Hotel.

        Money was disbursed to nonprofit organizations as designated by the companies, organizations and families that sponsored individual pigs. Half of each pig's auction price went to the charity named by that sponsor.

        ArtWorks, which organized the Gig, will use the money to expand programs and supplement operating costs. ArtWorks is an arts-based summer employment and job training program for youth.

        “The money raised for charity is one of the biggest benefits of the Big Pig Gig,” said Tamara Harkavy, executive director. “No other local fund-raising event has such widespread results.”

        In all, 420 fiberglass pigs were designed, decorated and exhibited on sidewalks, in parks and in building lobbies through the summer. The project drew more than $1.2 million in sponsorships, which was used for supplies and operating costs.

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