Jane M. Casteline and Shannon Johnstone met years ago at their local animal shelter, where they volunteered. They bonded over their shared passion for animals and photography. While chatting one day, they discussed the logo of a brand that depicts a pig as a butcher. They co-created Picturing Pigs as an art advocacy project that uses billboards to help people see pictures of real pigs.

With a grant from the Culture & Animals Foundation, Jane and Shannon put up billboards along I-40 in eastern North Carolina. This area is known as "hog country" where pigs outnumber people 29:1 because of farming. Despite the large number of pigs, most people will never see one. They system is designed to keep people from seeing the animals. Two vegan animal sanctuaries have been working with the team to help the public see pigs living their best lives.

The billboards have expanded into a series of stories told online, thanks to Teri Saylor, who joined the team in 2023. She has expanded the reach of the project by interviewing people connected to animal advocacy and rescue. Read her stories. Camden Watts, a film director and producer, began recording in 2023. The film team grew in 2024, with support from a generous investor. Watch the reel. The film is still in production.

CO-CREATOR

Jane explores the nuances and unique qualities of the natural, human, and built environment through photography. Her work has been featured in juried and non-juried exhibitions since 2014. Her current project, "Mushrooms in Raleigh" documents the multitude of fungi species located in and around Raleigh, NC, also seeking to capture the beauty that flourishes from the naturally decaying environment. She is currently developing a documentary photography series on the journey of homeless Turkish dogs from abandonment to rescue to adoption. Ms. Casteline is a research administrator at NC State University in Raleigh, NC.

CO-CREATOR

Shannon Johnstone’s photographic work deals with themes that reclaim what has been discarded and make visible that which is hidden. Her project, "Landfill Dogs", has been featured nationally and internationally, and was most notably on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer (2013), and CNN.com (2014). Her recent project “Stardust and Ashes” was a Critical Mass Finalist (2017), and her newest work, “Roadside Zoo” won an Honorable Mention in the International Photography Awards (2021). Johnstone is a tenured professor at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She is also a PhD candidate in Human-Animal Studies at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

STORYTELLER

Teri Saylor is an independent journalist and communication professional in Raleigh, with more than 25 years of experience in journalism, public affairs, and nonprofit management. Born and raised in North Carolina, Teri started her career as a reporter and photographer at a small weekly newspaper in the eastern part of the state, and from there she began a career with the North Carolina Press Association, advocating for the newspaper industry. For the past 15 years, she has operated Open Water Communications, a small firm devoted to helping organizations connect with and engage their audiences through storytelling and photography. Her work appears in print and online. She also works as a communication specialist for clients of FirstPoint Management Resources, a full service association management company. Teri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communications from North Carolina State University and has studied documentary arts at the Center for Documentary Studies in Durham, N.C.

FILM DIRECTOR / PRODUCER

Camden Watts is passionate about telling stories about the South to make it a better place for all. It is a common theme among the seven independent films she has written, produced, and directed since 2007. Watts studied graphic design, photography, and professional communications at Meredith College.