CLEVELAND – Featuring more than 500 handcrafted poppies, the Alabama Poppy Project in Blount County honors Alabama’s fallen heroes.
The powerful public art installation will be on display in the front lawn of the Blount County Multi-Purpose Center in Cleveland from Friday to Veterans Day.
Visitors are invited to walk among the display, reflect, and pay tribute to the men and women who have served.
The display of 500 poppies is presented in conjunction with the second annual North Alabama Patriot Trail Veterans Celebration, set for Monday from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Blount County Multi-Purpose Center.
The Alabama Poppy Project, founded by Alabama potter Julianne Hansen, has traveled across the state to raise awareness of veterans’ sacrifices and to inspire community remembrance leading up to Veterans Day. The free outdoor art exhibit is open daily from dawn to dusk. Pets and smoking are not allowed in the exhibit area.
The poppies were created and “planted” by Hansen and her husband, retired Lt. Col. Steven Hansen in honor of those who have served our country during their lifetime but are now no longer living.
Around the world, the poppy flower symbolizes the blood spilled in an effort to preserve freedoms and those who have died while in the service of a country they love.
“The Alabama Poppy Project is a program inspired by the many individuals who have given so much of their lives to the service of their country,” said Mrs. Hansen, founder of the event. “For me, the event is a way to combine art, healing, honoring and remembering.”
In addition to honoring the fallen, the Hansens want to honor Lt. Col. John McCrae who wrote the iconic poem, “In Flanders Fields.” It’s because of this poem written in 1915 that the poppy is used as a symbol of remembrance.
Making each poppy involves over 40 steps from start to finish. Each poppy is cut from slabs of rolled stoneware clay, then formed into a flower shape.
Just like in nature, no two flowers are identical. Once the poppies are formed, they are left to dry, then passed off to Steven Hansen who handles the two kiln firings and glazing that each poppy has to go through prior to completion.
A white satin ribbon is attached to each poppy displaying the name and branch of the individual to whom the flower is dedicated.
The idea came to Mrs. Hansen in 2020 as she began to search for a way to honor members of the military who are no longer living adn who made their mark while serving in the armed forces during their lifetimes.
“My stepsons, daughter, two sons-in-law, my father, my father-in-law, my uncle and so many more individuals who aren’t even related to me, have committed a part of their lives to the service of our country, but are no longer living,” she said. “I wanted to honor them and the sacrifices they made so we can live as we do today.”
The first poppy was placed in honor of Lt. Col. Hansen’s son, Capt. Kyle Steven Hansen, a pilot, who died in 2017.
“As people began dedicating poppies to their special person, we heard story after story, told by family members, friends and brothers in arms,’ Mrs. Hansen said. “So many people spoke of very special individuals who made such an impact on so many lives. We laughed, we cried and prayed with those who mourned and remembered these great individuals.”
Since then, the exhibit has grown to over 2,000 poppies and now portions of the exhibit can be seen in displays around Alabama.
Individuals, families, organizations and corporations can participate by sponsoring a poppy in the name of a loved one or friend for $50 each. Each sponsor is given the opportunity to select a poppy from the “field” and take it home with them along with a rod and personalized ribbon for their special honoree’s name and branch of service.
In addition to the poppy, sponsors have a page on https://alabamapoppyproject.
“That is their page,” Mrs. Hansen said. “Their photo and biography are there to continue their legacy and for others to read and remember.”
The names of those honored in each year remain on the website, along with their biography pages and photos.
“I feel it’s our duty to keep these legacies alive,” she said. “These pages online help us to do just that.”
For more information or to sponsor a poppy, visit https://www.
The display of 500 poppies is presented in conjunction with the second annual North Alabama Patriot Trail Veterans Celebration, set for Monday from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Blount County Multi-Purpose Center.
The two-hour program will include a self-serve light breakfast, patriotic music, a video presentation, and special recognitions honoring Alabama veterans. Keynote speakers are Secretary Greg Reed, chairman of the Alabama Veterans Resource Center Board, and Mrs. Hansen.
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