Alabama potter and husband to plant a field of ceramic flowers for free public exhibition

PRATTVILLE – Local potter Julianne Hansen may not think of herself as much of a gardener when it comes to planting flowers, but making them from clay, now that is quite a different story. In fact, starting a few days before Memorial Day, she and her husband, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven Hansen will begin to “plant” over two thousand handmade stoneware poppies in historic downtown Prattville, Alabama – 2,021 to be exact.

Around the world, the poppy flower has symbolized the blood that has been spilled in an effort to preserve our 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. Each poppy is handmade. Cut from slabs of rolled stoneware clay, Julianne then forms each into a poppy shape. No flower is identical. “Steven is the ‘kiln master’ and glaze guru,” she says. “He handles the two kiln firings and glazing that each poppy has to go through prior to completion. He is always 100% supportive of my crazy ideas and The Poppy Project has been no exception. Steven is very service-minded, so this project fits in perfectly with his military background and commitment to keep the memory of our servicemen and women alive.”

The idea first came to Julianne last year as she began to search for a way to honor those members of the military who are no longer among the living, who made their mark while serving in the armed forces during their lifetimes.

“My stepson, 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. I wanted to honor them and the sacrifices they made so we can live as we do today.”

She had no idea if the art exhibit would even happen given the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic basically shut everything down. “There were no Memorial Day events, all had been canceled,” she recalls. “I was going to do this no matter what.” She believed the visual impact of over 1,000 poppies would be a sobering reminder of the millions of individuals who have honorably served their country at some point in their lives – and it was.

The first poppy was placed in honor of Steven’s son, Captain Kyle Steven Hansen, USAF C-17 pilot, who passed away suddenly on February 8, 2017. “As people began dedicating poppies to their special person, we heard story after story, told by family members, friends and brothers in arms. So many people who made such an impact on so many lives. We laughed, we cried and prayed with those who mourned and remembered these great individuals.”

This year, the Hansen’s decided to not only double the number of poppies, but commemorate the year by making 2021 poppies in the same manner as the year before. The website, AlabamaPoppyProject.com, has been enhanced to allow those who sponsor a poppy to have a page dedicated to their honoree. “That is their page,” she says, “their photo and biography are there to continue their legacy and for others to read and remember.”

Individuals, organizations and corporations may sponsor a poppy in the name of a loved one or friend for the price of $45 each. After the exhibit closes, the sponsor may claim that poppy to be kept as a memento or donate it back to the Poppy Project for use in the following year’s exhibit. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to four non-profit organizations who continue to maintain the memory of our fallen heroes or assist the families left behind such as the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery, The Mark Forester Foundation, Alabama Patriot Guard Riders and the Autauga County Heritage Association. A white satin ribbon will be attached to each poppy on which the name and branch of the individual the flower is dedicated is written in gold.

On Sunday, May 30th at 7:30 p.m., a volunteer from Bugles Across America will play Taps followed by the illumination of a flying American Flag projected on the historic Daniel Pratt Gin Shop factory that is currently under conversion into loft apartments. The projection of the American flag, along with images of the 2021 honorees and significant events throughout US Military History will be displayed between sundown and midnight every night of the exhibition, which closes June 5, 2021. “It is our hope that those who come and view this art exhibit, regardless of the time of day, will truly feel the spirit of what was given for the cause of freedom,” Julianne Hansen says.

For more information:

https://alabamapoppyproject.com

To purchase a poppy or call (334)301-0336 to sponsor a poppy by phone.

Event Overview:

Dates: May 30 – June 5, 2021

Location: Court Street – Historic Downtown Prattville, Alabama (Heritage Park)

Associated events:

Ribbon Placement: Sunday May 30, 2021 from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.

TAPS: Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.

Exhibit Admission: Free

Sponsorship Information: Visit https://AlabamaPoppyProject.com

Cost is $45 and poppy is yours to keep.