Only a cold shower would do after a presentation of America’s sexiest plumbers. The bathroom fixture manufacturer American Standard bestowed the honor yesterday on 12 men and one woman, selected, we’re told, for their good looks, personality, and professionalism. They appear in a 2005 calendar, fully clothed, sitting or standing next to American Standard toilets (with the seats down).

The plumbers expressed pride in their jobs. Justin Alkes of Lindenhurst said, “People think plumbers aren’t intelligent. But you have to know a lot of math and science.” “Being a plumber takes a lot of street sense, a lot of common sense – and you have to know as much as a doctor or lawyer,” Jimmy Vandivier of Auburn, Calif., said. Perhaps the slogan used in the 1930s on an American Standard promotion captured it best: “Protecting the health of the nation.”

Many of the winners work in their families’ businesses. Several are college graduates. Seth Breslaw of Edgewater, N.J., studied film at New York University; Daniel Hartnett of Toms River, N.J., graduated from Pennsylvania State University.

An executive at the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association, Ike Casey, said the industry is attracting college graduates, women, and minorities. “This is a job that doesn’t get outsourced,” he said, adding that a plumber in New York can make more than $100,000 a year.

It was an unusual morning’s work for the plumbers. They spent two hours with a choreographer learning how to strut their stuff on the catwalk to an audience of family and press.

The grand winner, Lori Sardinha-Costa (Ms. July), looked quite fetching when she posed with her trophy – a plunger tied with a pink bow. She also received two tickets to the Super Bowl.

Plumbers can be a sentimental bunch. Mr. Breslaw requested to appear in the calendar in the month of May. That’s when his wife is due with their first child.

And Robert Lugo Jr. of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., was kvelling over his son’s excitement about the contest. The 7-year-old boy drew a picture of his father, wrote “America’s Sexiest Plumber” on the top, copied it, and passed it out at school (winners were determined by an online vote).

***

A gaggle of 1980s scenesters convened Saturday night at the Perry Rubenstein Gallery for the opening of “Useless Man,” a show of works featuring larger-than-life club kid Leigh Bowery (1961-94) as captured by photographer Fergus Greer and video artist Charles Atlas. The crowd was dressed in their campy best, accessorised with a few more wrinkles and pounds.

“The show is a personal history, but it’s generational, too,” Perry Rubenstein said, noting his gallery’s commitment to feature “performative artists.”

Guests included Boy George, who played the role of Bowery on Broadway in “Taboo”; Bowery’s widow, Nicola Rainbird, to whom he once “gave birth” in a piece of performance art; Brooklyn artist Andrew Guenther, who has shown at the gallery; photographer Michael Schmelling; stylist Maripol, who designed Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” wedding gown; French artist Orlan, whose medium is plastic surgery; and a former member of the British New Wave band ABC, David Yarritu.

Socialite Amanda Cutter Brooks chatted with Anh Duong. A former manager of the Clash, Kosmo Vinyl, gabbed with Mr. Greer (they wore nearly identical pin-striped suits).

After the show, most guests made their way to the dark dance club Lot 61, which played 1980s dance music long into the night.

– with Ruth Graham