CANstruction competition combines creativity, food donations
The 2026 CANstruction competition turned a regional education center into a bustling construction site where architects, contractors, and students built edible sculptures from donated canned goods. Hosted at New Horizons Regional Education Center in Newport News, the event combined creative design with a food‑drive that supplied local charities.
The competition’s patriotic theme, marking America’s 250th anniversary, inspired teams to reinterpret iconic symbols. Highlights included two Liberty Bell structures, a miniature Lincoln Memorial, and a towering Rosie the Riveter figure that celebrated women‑owned firms.
The standout winner, GuernseyTingle, earned both Best in Build and the Largest Quantity award for its Rosie the Riveter sculpture, constructed from roughly 2,500 cans. The student‑led entry that captured the People’s Choice Award recreated Lincoln Financial Field with more than 800 vegetable cans, complete with an American flag backdrop.
Collectively, participants gathered over 8,000 canned food items, which were donated to Grove Christian Outreach Center and THRIVE Peninsula to help families facing food insecurity, especially during the holiday season.
Beyond the impressive builds, the event showcased how nonprofit partners, trade groups, and local schools can unite to teach construction skills, foster teamwork, and make a tangible difference in the community.