Pike Place Market’s famous Rachel the Pig, a creation by Georgia Gerber, ’82, still enthralls visitors and raises money for the Market.
There’s always a mass of humanity in good spirits watching the fishmongers throw fish at Pike Place Fish Market—and then get their photos taken with the adjacent Rachel the Pig, the bronze piggy-bank creation of sculptor Whidbey Island-based Georgia Gerber.
On Aug. 17, Rachel will turn the big 4-0. “Having people send me photos of their children or grandchildren with Rachel is a real thrill,” says Gerber, who came down to the Market in late June for a photo shoot with her prized porcine creation.
Funny thing is, Gerber wasn’t even the first choice to create the pig. Or the second. Or the third. She explains: “In 1985, there was a “call to artists” to come up with an idea for a sculpture of a pig that could represent the Pike Place Market and collect donations for the Market Foundation. The foundation provides social services in the Market neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided by Fratelli’s Ice Cream Co.
“There were about 30 entries, as I recall. A committee chose a proposal other than mine, but for one reason or another, that choice did not work out so the competition was revamped. This time, three specific artists were invited to submit proposals, and I was not one of them. I wrote a number of times to advocate for myself. The selection committee finally recognized my determination and decided to invite me to participate in the second round.”
Rachel the Pig’s “piggy bank” has raised more than $200,000 for The Market Foundation. Be sure to rub her nose for good luck next time you deposit a quarter.
A very large pig named Rachel lived a couple of miles from my home here on Whidbey Island. I based my ideas on her and made a small clay model to bring to the presentation. Later that day, they called to say they had chosen me. It was only natural that she was named Rachel.”
A native of rural Pennsylvania who came to the UW for graduate school, Gerber watched with glee as dozens of people—including a group of excited Belgium soccer fans in town to watch a World Cup game—were itching to get their chance to be photographed with Rachel in late June.
“People feel like she's just always been there. It's funny but I sort of feel the same way.”
Georgia Gerber, '82
Her model was a local pig in Whidbey Island named Rachel, and Gerber captured her personality just so. Rachel was created in water-based clay and had a steel armature to support the hundreds of pounds of clay. She was cast in about 15 sections, which were welded together to complete the piece. “I had such a great model, but I think managing to give her just the right attitude and personality is what has helped endear her to the public, Gerber says.”
Gerber was caught a little by surprise when informed that Rachel turned 40. “When people learn that I created Rachel, they are surprised because it feels to them that she’s just always been there. It’s funny but I sort of feel the same way.”