Creativity is...

“It’s like washing a pig. It’s messy, it has no rules, no clear beginning, middle or end: it’s kind of a pain in the ass, and when you’re done, you’re not sure if the pig is clean or even why you were washing a pig.” - Luke Sullivan

We've used this quote for a long time in our Creative Strategy classes at Florida State and when we start creativity initiatives with organizations. This semester we decided to add a little experiential education to so our students really grasped what the quote meant. It was Tom's idea to make use of my friend Josh who owns his personal pig named Baby J. So we borrowed Baby J for a pig wash to really understand how messy creativity should feel.First of all Kyle and I went to borrow the pig from Josh which was really an experience in itself. When we arrived at Josh's house he was feeding Baby J chilled pineapple chunks and also enjoying some himself. Graciously, Josh offered us some pineapple and not wanting to be rude we accepted. Josh instructed us on everything we needed to know about caring for Baby J. He even provided us with a box of vanilla wafers for getting Baby J to do what we wanted. Once we got Baby J loaded into the back seat of my truck we were off to Tom and Melissa's to wash this pig. As we drove down I-10 with a pig in the back seat and Benson (our office Yorkie) in Kyle's lap we wondered what the news report my look like were we to be involved in some kind of tragic accident.

We filled a small kiddie pool with Cotton Blend Bubble Bath from Bath and Body Works to create a relaxing environment for Baby J we even considered lighting a few votive candles.

At first the kids were really tentative about approaching the pig. You could see they felt it would be easy. As if they could simply approach the pig and it would lay back and relax as they scrubbed its hooves. Such is not the case with pigs, or rather with Baby J she is very smart, wily, and elusive. She doesn't like to be washed. So after hesitation by the students I decided to pick up the pig from behind and toss her into the pool. The washing proved difficult as she kept wiggling her way out of my grip. After repeatedly capturing her and placing her in the pool a small group of students decided it would be easier to lather up the pig rather than try to force her to take a bubble bath. This worked pretty well though it probably wasn't as romantic for her.

The pig wash was amazing as an experience and I'm glad to say I now know how to do it. We may use our new experience in pig washing as an added service to our clients. Honestly though I think one of the most rewarding parts of it was that we've used, read and heard this quote so many times that actually making it happen and creating an experience out of makes it so much more meaningful. Plus Baby J is really just a wonderful pig. Feel free to check out more pictures here : http://picasaweb.google.com/CatchYourLimit/CreativeStrategyIWashingAPig