Milwaukee Public Museum to Host Canned Food Exhibition CANstruction
Sculptures are designed and built by teams of local architects and engineers; food items are donated to area pantry following exhibition
Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM), Women in Design, Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (Wisco NOMA), American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center are partnering to bring the canned-food sculpture exhibition Canstruction to MPM for the first time in the event’s 10-plus-year history in Milwaukee. Canstruction is a charity event held in cities throughout the U.S. and the world that combines STEM concepts, artistry and a little friendly competition, all to help fight hunger. Canstruction Milwaukee calls on local leaders in architecture, engineering and construction to design and build captivating sculptures, each using at least 1,000 canned and nonperishable food items. The sculptures are put on public display for several days before the food from the designs is donated to people in need.
“MPM is excited to provide the space for an event that brings together the best minds in design in Milwaukee, especially given that MPM is currently in the process of creating and constructing a new museum. In fact, members of the design team for the Future Museum project are participating in this year’s Canstruction,” said Rebecca Ehlers, MPM VP of Marketing, Communications and Visitor Experience. “We’re also grateful to be able to do our part in contributing to the donation of tens of thousands of food items to Milwaukee residents.”
The sculptures will be assembled on January 27 and on display through February 4 in the Steigleder Special Exhibits Gallery on MPM’s Second Floor. The exhibition is included with admission; however, tickets are discounted at $15 January 27-28 for VISIT Milwaukee’s Museum Days promotion. Additionally, admission is free to all on February 1 for Kohl’s Thank You Thursday, which will include the Canstruction awards ceremony from noon to 1 p.m. During the ceremony, visitors are invited to watch a panel of judges present the teams with awards in the following categories: best meal, best structural ingenuity, best use of labels, most cans and the people’s choice—determined by the public’s votes.
“Women in Design is thrilled to partner with MPM on Canstruction, and we’re eager to share with the Museum’s visitors what the 12 participating teams create under this year’s ‘Can you dig it?’ theme, which is inspired by the fossils, rocks and minerals and archaeological items in the Museum’s vast collections,” said Ali Kopyt, co-founder of Women in Design and Managing Architect at Korb + Associates. “There’s no greater reward for Milwaukee’s design professionals than the opportunity to make something beautiful that also makes a difference in their city.”
Upon the conclusion of the exhibition, the sculptures will be “de-canstructed” and the food will be donated to the Jewish Community Pantry, a program of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. For nearly 50 years, the Pantry has provided emergency food and community resources to residents facing food insecurity in the Metcalfe Park and Amani neighborhoods on the city’s north side.
“Support from the community is more important now than ever. We continue to see an increasing number of families in crisis who are experiencing hunger,” said Heidi Gould, Jewish Community Pantry Director. “Last fiscal year, we served 15,718 customers—a 22% jump from the previous year. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved in Canstruction, and we anticipate we will be able to support approximately 150 households per week for close to six months with the items donated from the event.”
The 12 teams participating are: Engberg Anderson, EUA, GRAEF, Henry Schein-Integrated Design Studio, HGA, JLA Architects, Kahler Slater, Korb + Associates, Pierce Engineers, Ramlow/Stein, VJS and Zimmerman Architectural Studios & Gilbane.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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