New Bedford Teen is Turning Eye-Catching Piggy Banks into Big Business

If you’ve driven to the corner of Ashley Boulevard and Sawyer Street in New Bedford and wondered why there are dozens of ceramic statues lining the street, we’ve got the answer.

On Wednesday, September 18, I got a call from a coworker asking if I had any idea what was happening near CVS on The Ave. I hopped into the Fun 107 van and headed out to investigate.

What I found was an eclectic assortment of ceramic dinosaurs, dogs, Jesus statues and even multiple duplicates of Homer Simpson — all piggy banks. At the center of this ceramic universe stood 16-year-old Edgar Roman, the artist behind it all.

Roman only spoke Spanish, but with the help of Google Translate, I learned more about his inspiring story.

For the past three years, Roman has been creating, hand-painting and selling various piggy banks of all shapes and sizes. With remarkable efficiency, each piece takes him about 30 minutes to complete. The creations range in price, some selling for as much as $100. His work reflects his creativity, skill and dedication to supporting his family.

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When I asked him which of his creations was his favorite, Roman smiled and pointed to Homer Simpson, explaining that The Simpsons is one of his all-time favorite shows.

Roman's ceramic creations can be spotted around New Bedford, and his passion for his art is clear. So, the next time you’re in the neighborhood and in need of a unique piggy bank, keep an eye out for Edgar Roman. He’s a young artist on the rise, turning his talent into a business, one ceramic masterpiece at a time.