FREDERICK CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
June 19th – July 5th
Canstruction® Frederick is a one-of-a-kind community art exhibit that brings together creativity and compassion to support local families and the Frederick Rescue Mission.
Local sponsors, designers, and builders will transform canned goods into large-scale sculptures on display at Warehouse Cinemas. When the exhibit concludes, every can is donated to the Frederick Rescue Mission to support programs addressing food insecurity in Frederick County.
What is Canstruction®?
For the first time, the Mission is bringing Canstruction to Frederick as a public art exhibit with meaningful local impact.
Founded in 1992, Canstruction® is an international charity competition where teams build large-scale sculptures entirely from canned food to raise awareness and support local communities.
- Teams design and construct imaginative sculptures using full, unopened cans of food.
- Sculptures are displayed in a free exhibit at Warehouse Cinemas from June 19 to July 5 for the community to view and vote on.
- After the exhibit, all canned goods are donated to the Mission’s programs addressing food insecurity in Frederick.
FAQs
General Participation
To participate, a sponsor forms a team, develops an original sculpture concept, and registers for the event. Teams are responsible for their own design, materials planning, and construction, working in coordination with the Frederick Rescue Mission. Ready to bring a sculpture to life? Explore the Register to Build page for opportunities to participate.
Yes. Sponsors are responsible for recruiting their own design and build teams.
Participants must be 16 years or older.
Most teams include 10–15 participants, depending on the complexity of the design.
Yes! Collaboration between companies or organizations is encouraged.
Each team is responsible for creating its own original sculpture design and submitting the required design documentation by the stated deadline.
No. There is no required theme, allowing teams full creative freedom. As the exhibit will be hosted in a family-friendly venue, designs should be appropriate for all ages.
All donated canned goods are collected, sorted, and distributed through the Frederick Rescue Mission’s food programs following de-canstruction.
Registration & Entry
- Early Registration Deadline: February 2 — $150 entry fee
- Final Registration Deadline: February 28 — $250 entry fee. Some top tier sponsorships include the registration fee. Check out the Sponsor page[6.1] to learn more.
Design & Build Rules
No. Materials must be delivered to Warehouse Cinemas on June 16, and construction may only take place during the designated build day.
Maximum structure size is 10 ft L × 10 ft W × 10 ft H (3 m × 3 m × 3 m).
Maximum five (5) builders on the sculpture at any given time.
Teams have a maximum of twelve (12) hours to complete their sculpture during build day.
- Permissible: Full, unopened canned or beverage containers of all sizes with labels intact; boxes, bags, and packets of food are allowed, but cans must make up the majority of the structure.
- Not allowed: Glass containers, alcoholic beverages, candy, chips, pet food, opened/expired items, altered or obscured labels, empty cans, or plastic bottles.
- Permissible: Non-damaging materials such as Velcro, magnets, zip-ties, tape, silicone, rubber bands, nylon string, wire mesh/wire, wood or PVC rods, threaded metal rods, and leveling materials ≤ 1/4″ thick (examples: cardboard, foam-core, masonite, MDF, plywood, plexiglass, fiberglass).
- Not allowed: Wood or metal beams, steel tubes, struts, sheet metal, steel plates, Fiberock, glass, or permanent adhesives/bonding methods (e.g., soldering).
All sculptures must be supported internally and externally by cans or beverage containers. Props may be used, but teams are strongly encouraged to solve structural and design challenges using cans and food items wherever possible.
No. All labels must remain visible and unaltered.
Equipment guidelines, including scaffolding and delivery/set-up restrictions, will be provided to registered teams prior to build day.
Build Day & Exhibit Logistics
Spectators are discouraged during construction to ensure safety and efficient setup.
Yes. At least one team representative must be present to oversee the removal of non-food materials during de-canstruction.
Awards & Judging
Teams will be recognized across a variety of creative and technical categories, including:
- Best Original Design
- Best Structural Ingenuity
- Best Use of Labels
- Best Meal
- Most Cans
- People’s Choice Award, selected by public vote after the exhibit closes
Awards (except People Choice Award) will be announced during the Canstruction® Frederick Awards Reception.
Key Dates & Event Schedule
(Dates subject to refinement; registered teams will receive final details.)
Registration
- February 2 — Early registration deadline ($150)
- February 28 — Final registration deadline ($250)
Team Planning
- May 15 — Supporting design documentation due
(Design specs, structural details, and renderings)
Build & Exhibit
- June 16 — Food delivered to Warehouse Cinemas
- June 17 — Build Day (anticipated 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.)
- June 18 — Judging & Awards Reception
Warehouse Cinemas | 5:30–7:30 p.m. - June 19 — Exhibit opens to the public
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | 4:00 p.m. - June 19 – July 5 — Exhibit on display
Deconstruction
- July 5 — De-Canstruction begins at 8:00 a.m
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive updates about Canstruction® Frederick 2026 or to request more information about volunteer opportunities and sponsorship information.
Opportunities to Volunteer
There are many ways to get involved with Canstruction® Frederick! Whether you want to help on-site during the exhibit, join a team to design and build a sculpture, or be matched with a sponsor, your contribution makes a real difference.
- Join a Team: Have design or building experience, or already have a team that’s looking for a sponsor? Reach out to be matched with a team to help create a Canstruction® sculpture (as opportunities allow).
- Event Assistance: Support logistics on build days, exhibit operations, guest engagement, and voting at Warehouse Cinemas.
- Flexible Roles: Contribute in a way that fits your schedule and skills—every role helps bring the exhibit to life.
Volunteering is a hands-on way to connect with the community, experience the creativity of Canstruction®, and directly support families in need through the Frederick Rescue Mission.