BEN WHEELER, Texas — When she’s not running an art gallery, Kerian Massey puts her own painting skills to work. 

“It gets that story that needs to be told out of your head and onto the piece of medium that you’re using,” said Massey.

Art is Massey’s life. She’s co-owned the Art Emporium in Edom, Texas, for close to three years.

But her talent isn’t confined to just paint and pallet.

Just down the road is Ben Wheeler, population 400. It’s where Massey tapped into her other talents to win Hog Queen 2020.

“It’s about hamming it up and I guess I made it!” she said.

The crowning of the queen is the highlight of the annual Feral Hog Festival. It began as a way to poke fun at an ongoing problem.
Feral hogs have been a nuisance in Texas for years. So, Ben Wheeler decided to turn lemons into lemonade and celebrate the hog.

And hamming it up for Hog Queen isn’t easy. You’re at the mercy of judges who score you in different areas.

“They tally those up and get a winner and I somehow made it, ” said Massey.

Massey also had to perform a song to snag the title.

“It was a rap song with the ‘big fat butt’ that you danced to! It was in the 20’s style… I tap danced and everything,” said Massey.

After all, Massey says, going hog wild is all in fun. And that’s what this town is about — the music, the art and the hogs!

Massey can’t think of any place she’d rather be.

“I’ve become part of this town in a big, big way. Now, I really have! Which is kinda cool! It’s so silly. I love it!” she said.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the subject in the photo. (May 7, 2021)