Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/8/20

Canstruction Atlanta Kicks Off 21st Annual Public Art Competition Benefitting Atlanta Community Food Bank & Raising Awareness of Atlanta-Area Hunger Insecurity

Renowned Metro Atlanta Design Teams to Build Giant Canned Food Structures for Public Display at Ponce City Market from April 21 – May 5, 2020

In Association with the Atlanta Chapters of the American Institute of Architects & Society for Design Administration

Canstruction® Atlanta, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization benefitting the Atlanta Community Food Bank, announces the launch of its 21st annual art exhibition program and philanthropic event in association with the American Institute of Architects (AIA, Atlanta Chapter) and Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Design Administration (SDA). The announcement kicks off months of advanced planning and participation on the parts of Canstruction Atlanta committee members, a variety of sponsors and numerous design teams, resulting in massive art structures made of canned food goods. Free and open to the public, the structures will be on public display throughout the first and second floor of the Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market from April 21 – May 5, 2020.

The Canstruction Atlanta organization, which comprises Architectural, Engineering and Construction (A/E/C) industry members and a wide range of related community members, inspires and facilitates metro-area participants to create and build food can art displays. The program raises awareness of Atlanta-area hunger insecurity and generates food and funds for the Food Bank, while shedding a spotlight on the local design industry. Since its inception in 1998, Canstruction Atlanta has donated approximately 1.2 million meals to the local food bank.

The art structures will feature design expertise from some of Georgia’s most talented architects, engineers, construction professionals and designers. Each canned food art display will showcase a design concept as a standalone part of the exhibition’s entire series and draw inspiration from futuristic cars and airplanes; popular cartoon characters; items related to Atlanta’s burgeoning film industry; iconic area landmarks; and more. Participants will be able to use canned goods of all sizes, wood, tape, rubber bands, wire and Velcro to create self-supporting structures.

The can structures art exhibition will commence with an initial build-out day on April 20, during which up to 20 design teams will have 10 hours to assemble their individual can structures at Ponce City Market. 

Culminating during an awards gala at The Plaza at Ponce City Market on Friday, April 24 from 7-10pm, a jury will select one winner in each of six Canstruction International categories, including “Best Meal,” “Most Cans,” “People’s Choice,” “Best Use of Labels,” “Structural Ingenuity” and a new award this year: “Best Original Design.” A seventh award, selected by the Canstruction Atlanta committee, known as the “Can-ambassador Award” is presented to the team that goes above and beyond the original scope of the Canstruction event. Tickets ($25) to the gala can be purchased at www.canstructionatl.com in advance or at the door.

The annual program and event activities will end with a special Disassembly and Donation Day on Wednesday, May 6, when all structures will be dismantled and bestowed to the Food Bank for distribution to hundreds of interrelated, nonprofit organizations with hunger-relief programs benefitting Metro Atlanta and North Georgia citizens.

Canstruction Atlanta is seeking individual and corporate sponsors to provide participatory support. Seven sponsorship packages are available in exchange for applicable benefits. Sponsorship levels include “Elite,” “Corporate,” “Platinum,” “Diamond,” “Gold,” “Silver” and “Bronze.” Sponsorships and donations are tax deductible and can be attained through www.canstructionatl.com/sponsors.

“The annual Canstruction Atlanta program and canned food exhibition help enrich the Atlanta-area community and bring together people from different design-oriented industries,” says 2020 Co-Chair James Byers. “Most of all, the program provides a sense of unity which lends to the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s goal of conquering area hunger.”

About Canstruction® Atlanta: Canstruction Atlanta is a unique charity which hosts competitions, exhibitions and events showcasing colossal structures made of full cans of food. After the structures are built, the creations go on display free of charge for the public as a giant art exhibition. At the conclusion of the event, all food is donated to local hunger relief organizations. Recognized for commitment to innovation, hunger relief and collaboration, the organization has helped raise more than 25 million pounds of food since 1992. Learn more at www.canstructionatl.com.