ACEC New Jersey’s Fifth Annual Can Sculpture Contest Contributes 11,000 Food Cans to Local Food Bank

ACEC News / Member Organizations

December 7, 2021

ACEC New Jersey’s Fifth Annual Can Sculpture Contest Contributes 11,000 Food Cans to Local Food Bank

ACEC New Jersey hosted its fifth annual Can Sculpture Contest and Holiday Open House last week.

The annual event engages teams of young industry professionals in art/design and problem-solving skills by competing to build structures out of full cans of food. In the end, ACEC/NJ dismantles the structures and donates all the cans to the local food bank Fulfill NJ, providing a tremendous amount of help when they need it most.

The Holiday Open House is the culmination of a process that often starts months in advance with project teams meeting to discuss design and approach ideas. Teams then convene the day before, constructing their final designs for judging. Winners are announced before a packed house of the general membership.

This year’s panel of judges included John Keller, Executive Director of the NJ Turnpike Authority; Eric Daleo, Senior Vice President, Capital Programs, NJ Transit; and Jim Kroeze, COO of Fulfill NJ.

McCormick Taylor won the first prize, with Michael Baker as the runner-up. Michael Baker also had the distinction of contributing the most cans and winning the popular vote among the attendees.

All told, the teams contributed almost 11,000 cans of food, while attendees contributed almost 200 unwrapped toys for donation.

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