This retro television set was the creation of Urban Systems Ltd.

Can thousands of cans of tuna become a work of art? The answer is a resounding yes. Just stroll over to the centre court at Southcentre Mall  from now until March 21 to view an astounding display of sculptures, all crafted from cans of food. It’s all part of Canstruction Calgary 2013, “an incredible, edible charity event.”

The theme this year is Gizmos & Gadgets, and the competing teams didn’t disappoint, replicating everything from Inspector Gadget and Angry Birds to a retro television set and a boom box. It’s truly amazing to see what was constructed by participants, including builders, architects, designers and very talented students. Teams came from companies such as Suncor Energy, Fluor, Shell Canada and Nexen through to the City of Calgary and Langevin Public School.

When the displays are taken down on March 22, there’s good news. All cans used in the project go to the Calgary Food Bank. Since Canstruction began being held in Calgary in 2006, more than 136,000 kilograms of food has been donated. The Calgary chapter of Canstruction is part of an international anti-hunger movement, started 10 years ago by the Society for Design Administration, an affiliate organization of the American Institute of Architects. To date, more than 100 cities  have participated in Canstruction, donating 7.7 million kilograms of food to local food banks. Check out this page to see amazing international photos and video of Canstruction competition winners around the world. (In 2012, Fluor Canada won the jurors’ favourite award for its sculpture of Marvin the Martian.) As Canstruction organizers say, they’re ready to change the world . . . one can at a time.

Langevin School & SNC-Lavalin played on the theme of gadgets & gizmos by constructing a two-metre high bust of Inspector Gadget.

The City of Calgary paid homage to an early gadget – the typewriter – using cans of seafood, pastas, ham, vegetables, chocolate and coffee. It received the “juror’s pick” award in the competition.

The folks at Bantrel built a replica of an angry bird (from the popular game) using 2,000 cans of chick peas, tomatoes, tuna, lima beans and red beans. It won the title of “best meal” in the Canstruction competition.

A team from Nexen Inc. created this boom box to “blast out” hunger, one tuna can at a time.

This sculpture from Fluor Canada represents a dog, Nipper, listening to a gramophone. It’s made of more than 5,500 cans of tuna.

Canstruction Calgary 2013 is on display at Southcentre Mall until March 21.

A Calgary businesswoman is teaming up with one of Calgary’s biggest malls and several of its retailers to offer a summer Fashion Camp experience for youth.

Holly Allen, executive director of Fashion Camp, describes the venture — which combines modelling and fashion design — as a finishing school with a modern twist, where campers will design, sew and model their creations.

The camp, now in its fourth year and first in a major mall, is geared to three age groups — seven to nine; 10 to 12 and 13 to 17. Last year, 30 youths participated and Allen hopes to double that number this year.

Cliff Stoakley, marketing director at Southcentre Mall, said the shopping centre is introducing guest experiences that focus on children.

“The alliance with Calgary Fashion Camp is an extension of our focus to work with and benefit younger shoppers and fashionistas,” said Stoakley, adding he knows of no other Canadian mall doing a fashion camp.

“Our hope is that the kids involved will build a stronger sense of individuality, confidence and empowerment.”

Allen, the former owner of Chichi Couture and Hanson Allen, has 20 years of retail fashion and design experience.

Three separate five-day camps will take place during the summer. Registration is about $700.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

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Major changes are coming to the Southcentre Mall in Calgary that will include a refreshed and revamped Bay, the introduction of the Sporting Life store and possibly the second La Maison Simons’ location in the city.

Shawn Hanson, general manager of Southcentre, confirmed the Bay is currently being renovated.

“They’ve stepped up and they’re making a significant investment in the store. It’s a multimillion-dollar renovation which is taking place in phases and is happening until approximately the end of October,” said Hanson. “It’s their latest and greatest concept and we’re excited about what they’re doing in the store.

“It’s definitely a refresh and much-needed, but it’s definitely in keeping with their brand and where they think their business is going.”

Hanson said all of Sporting Life’s stores have been in Ontario, and Southcentre will be its first store in Western Canada. The store will open in 46,000 square feet by the fall of 2016, he said.

“It’s more of an aspirational sporting goods and apparel retailer. They carry just some fantastic brands that aren’t currently represented in the shopping centre and I think they’re something our customers are going to obviously gravitate to,” said Hanson.

“They’re very different in their motto. When people think of Sporting Life, it’s definitely more of a lifestyle concept for sure. It’s going to be a big store. So I think people are going to be surprised on what they see when they actually enter the store.”

Rumours in the retail industry indicate Quebec-based fashion retailer Simons, which is opening its first Calgary location in March 2017 at the downtown shopping centre, is interested in Southcentre Mall as another location for the popular brand.

“We don’t have anything done with Simons. They are opening downtown in the old Lancaster building. As far as Southcentre is concerned, I know that they have expressed interest. The anchor environment is still a very interesting play in terms of all the different opportunities for both landlords and tenants right now, especially with the demise of Target. There’s lots of opportunities.

“We continue to have discussions with lots of different people and it’s opportunistic in a lot of different ways but right now there’s nothing firm with Simons. They’ve expressed interest and we’ve talked to them.”

Simons will open its first Calgary store on four levels of the Lancaster building at the corner of 2nd Street S.W. and Stephen Avenue, in just over 90,000 square feet of space.

Southcentre Mall, on Anderson Road S.E., just off of Macleod Trail, has about 960,000 square feet with about 170 stores.

“The renovation of the Hudson’s Bay store and the arrival of Sporting Life are positive moves for Southcentre Mall. Regional shopping centres are always in a state of reinvention to keep their offerings current and Southcentre is an excellent example of this process,” said Michael Kehoe, an Alberta-based retail specialist with Fairfield Commercial Real Estate Inc. in Calgary.

“Hudson’s Bay is wise to upgrade their store presentation and merchandise selection to capitalize on their prime location at Southcentre in one of the most affluent markets in the Calgary region. Sporting Life is a first to market retailer that is sure to differentiate the mall from its main competitor in south Calgary — Chinook Centre.  Southcentre would be a logical location for Maison Simons and we hope to see their opening at the mall within the next three years.”

Hanson said 2015 will be a transitional year for Southcentre as it looks at its store mix. Neal’s Yard Remedies will be opening later this year and the mall is close to finalizing a deal with a high-profile restaurateur.

“We’re trying to define things that are going to make us a little more lifestyle-oriented and find ways to provide a little bit more entertainment and give people what they’re looking for,” said Hanson, adding the mall’s current sales per square foot is about $650.

“Overall, we’re optimistic especially with what’s happening in the centre. I think there’s enough things going on enough of an exciting movement that’s going to help us provide some momentum with the existing retailers that are in play. Ultimately I think we’re going to have a successful year. It might not translate into huge sales growth but it’s definitely paving the way for a really strong year next year.”

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

Twitter.com/MTone123

CRAFT Beer Market has announced plans to open a second location at Southcentre Mall.

PJ L’Heureux, owner of the brand which offers more than 100 taps, said CRAFT has sought a second Calgary location for a couple of years. The new business, on the south side of the shopping centre between Crate & Barrel and Restoration Hardware, is expected to open next summer.

“Southcentre has done a great job of building an impressive lineup of brands and we are excited to be a part of that offering to people living in the south,” said L’Heureux.

CRAFT opened its first location in Calgary’s Beltline district in 2011 and followed that with locations in False Creek, Vancouver and downtown Edmonton in 2013. About a year ago, it announced a joint venture with First Growth Holdings to launch five locations in China, with the first location there, in Shanghai, to open by the end of 2015.

On Thursday, L’Heureux said there has been a minor setback there and the company is now looking for a new space. He expects to open the first location there sometime in 2016.

In May, CRAFT announced it is moving into Eastern Canada for the first time with the planned opening of an Ottawa location by early 2016, likely in February.

L’Heureux said CRAFT is looking for another location in northwest Calgary and he continues to search out locations in Toronto to expand with Ottawa serving as a stepping stone to that expansion.

“The opening of CRAFT Beer Market will enhance Southcentre’s dining and entertainment offering,” said Shawn Hanson, the mall’s general manager. “Shoppers will have even more food and beverage choices than ever before. A great addition to Southcentre and our community.”

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

Twitter.com/MTone123

How’s this for a challenge? Ten teams from Calgary and area were given three hours to make a dress of their own design using only paper-based products.

The high school students, mostly from schools with fashion studies, went head to head at Southcentre Mall on Saturday morning and competed for prizes and items sponsored by Olds College.