Pigs Still Sizzling Attraction in Front of Don Beyer Volvo

No, there is no political or social statement connected to the statue of a man feeding hogs in front of Don Beyer Volvo along Leesburg Pike in Falls Church.

In fact, the statue pays homage to the Beyer family, which once raised hogs at Springhill Farm in McLean. Still, people stop daily to snap pictures of the happy hogs and the man feeding them.

“My father and uncle grew up on Springhill Farm but the man in the statue is open to interpretation,” said Michael Beyer, owner and president of the auto group.

The statue, made of wood and dipped in aluminum, has been the best advertisement the dealership has had in 40 years, Beyer said.

Unveiled on May 5, 1985, the statue is a creation of Beyer’s uncle – artist Richard Beyer, who died a year ago at 86 – and cost $10,000 plus shipping to reach Falls Church. Beyer said his uncle has several public pieces of art around the country.

“He believed in public art and my father wanted a piece in front of the dealership,” Beyer said.

The statue has become a fixture in the city with many admirers. Susan Finarelli, spokeswoman for the city, said City Hall gets questions about the piece all the time.

"The sculpture is a unique landmark in the City of Falls Church,” Finarelli said. “The city loves that the Beyer family can honor their family's heritage with a piece of artwork that makes everyone smile."

Moving the statue anytime soon? Under one circumstance, Beyer said, but it will always be in Falls Church.

“If we would ever re-develop the dealership, we would move it but it would just be placed somewhere else at the dealership,” he said.

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