Displaying the painted hogs in the Masterworks Foundation?s ?Hogge Wilde? public art project in and around the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel over several months proved a stroke of genius.

Not only did the fibreglass animals generate great interest among locals and visitors alike, including the large numbers who attended Wednesday night?s auction, but also they created extra business for the hotel?s restaurants.

While on display, the public was invited to cast their votes in various categories, with the results being announced at the auction.

Professional Bermudian artist Bruce Stuart?s ?Night Hogge? was the runaway winner, sweeping the polls with awards in three categories: Best in Show, Most Beautiful, and Most Talented. Elizabeth Saxton garnered two awards for her Scrabble-inspired design: ?Scrapple? : ?Most Literate? and ?Most Intelligent?.

Tied for ?Most Imaginative? were ?Lachnolaimus Maximus? by Aardvark Communications and ?Pig Iron? by Jason Jones.

Other winners, with their creator?s names in parenthesis, were: ?HRH Her Royal Hoggness? (Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel)?Banana? (Will Collieson)?Bermuda Gold? (Jordy Walker)?Lachnolaimus Maximus? (Aardvark Communications)?Gombey Hogge? (East End Primary)?Henny Penny Piggy Bank? (Terri Crockwell)?Ball Hogge? (Joanna Hamer)?Hogge Wilde? (Saltus Cavendish)?Punk Vein Pork? (Noah Beek)