Galilee kids to make modern art at Hatzor can factory

Young people to construct can sculptures for solidarity in North.

By ELAN LUBLINER
Artists and Galilee youth will come together this Wednesday afternoon to build can structures to boost solidarity in the area. Inspired by "Canstruction," an international food charity that makes art out of aluminum cans, over 150 children and teenagers are expected to participate in the event, which will take place just outside the Pri Galil Can Factory in Hatzor. A home and business moving company, Irgun Hamovil, volunteered to collect cans from all over Israel for the upcoming event. During the past two weeks, they drove around to each big city, gathering the youths' construction materials. The Federation of West Palm Beach formed a partnership with the Safed, Hatzor and Rosh Pina municipalities to organize the event. Last year, federation CEO Jeff Klein was also involved in building a leadership program for young adults, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship in the region. Iris Toledano, the Jewish Agency's director of the federation's partnership with the cities, explained that the goal was "to identify with periphery residents. So many people are affected by the recession, and we're hoping Wednesday's 'canstruction' event will inspire some hope." Each group of children will be led by an artist and will be given an image to make, from Stars of David to smiley faces. The only materials available will be cans. Eventually all the sculptures will be broken down and the cans donated to two food banks in Hatzor. "The Jewish Agency demonstrated its assistance to the residents of the North and South during the war [in the Gaza Strip earlier this year]," said Leah Golan, director-general of the Israel Department at the Jewish Agency. "Now we are attempting to help the residents of Hatzor and the region again with this event."