Previous Canstruction exhibit entry by Gilbane Building Co./Jo Ann Bentley Architect Inc. team - “Can-Dozer”

Providence, RI If you’re in the vicinity of Providence Place on March 12, don’t miss the opportunity to watch several competing teams of architects and construction professionals “canstruct” popularly themed sculptures from thousands of canned goods.  Recognizable shapes for the sixth biennial Canstruction Rhode Island sculpture exhibit to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (www.rifoodbank.org) should start to appear by 10 a.m. along the mall’s Skybridge Concourse. The free exhibit runs through March 25.

Canstruction is a national food charity of the design and construction industry, sponsored nationally by the Society for Design Administration, and locally by R.I. chapters of the American Institute of Architects, Associated General Contractors, and many private companies and organizations. The Canstruction RI competition features awards selected by a panel of independent jurors, and the opportunity for teams to submit photos of winning sculptures to the international competition (www.canstruction.org). The juried award categories are Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Structural Integrity and Jurors’ Favorite as well as up to two Honorable Mentions.  Viewers may vote for the local “People’s Choice” award at www.rifoodbank.org. You also might wish to browse the website to learn about the Food Bank’s many programs and see the many ways you can donate or get involved.

The Canstruction teams hope to beat their 2014 donation of more than 28,340 pounds of non-perishable food.  Another goal of the exhibit is to increase awareness of the problems of hunger and inspire more donors and volunteers to contribute to the R.I. Community Food Bank.

Keeping the theme and design of their sculptures a secret until the March 12 build day are several teams that include employees and members of the:

• Brewster Thornton Group Architects and Gilbane Building Co., both Providence companies

• Construction Leadership Council of the R.I. Chapter of Associated General Contractors, Providence

• Dimeo Construction Co., Providence, and Edward Rowse Architects Inc., Providence

• Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels Architects, Providence; Odeh Engineers, Providence; Parker Construction Co., East Providence; and Herrick & White Architectural Woodworkers, Cumberland

• LLB Architects, Pawtucket, and Shawmut Design and Construction, Providence; and

• Saccoccio & Associates, Cranston; DiPrete Engineering, Providence; and H. V. Collins Co., Providence.