From Julianne Hansen
Alabama Poppy Project
Prattville, Alabama – Back in 2020, many ideas, projects and lives were hit with a major roadblock with the onset of a global pandemic. Local potter Julianne Hansen decided to take advantage of her skills and a vacant green space in Historic Downtown Prattville to honor our fallen military for Memorial Day by “planting” a field of bright red, handmade stoneware poppies. Each poppy represented someone who had served in the armed forces at some point in their lives but are now no longer living. As the event drew near, all traditional Memorial Day events and activities were canceled.
She felt because of the outdoor nature and the ability to safely observe the exhibit without being in close proximity with others, her display could continue. It did. With her first exhibit and corresponding website, she and her husband, Retired, Lt. Col. Steven Hansen planted 1,000 bright red, handmade stoneware poppies – many displaying a white satin ribbon with an “honoree” name written in gold attached to the poppy’s stem. The first ribbon placed was in honor of Steven’s late son, Capt. Kyle Hansen USAF who passed away in 2017.
In 2021, the exhibit continued with one major difference, instead of 1,000 poppies, Hansen decided to increase the number to reflect the current year. Symbolizing the fact that we honor all those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for our country, but we must not forget those in harm’s way and possibly giving their lives today. Each year since, she has increased the poppy display to replace those who have purchased poppies and added one more for the current year. The display has drawn visitors from all over Alabama and each of the neighboring states, traveling to Prattville just to see this moving tribute.
Unfortunately, due to construction on both sides of “the poppy field” as many locals call it, the Hansen’s felt the atmosphere would not reflect the reverence needed to host this solemn event, and a search of other possible locations just didn’t’ feel logistically or aesthetically appropriate.
This year, she will host a smaller version of this event inside her gallery and working studio located just a few yards away from the traditional event. During the day individuals can come see the poppies in the comfort of her small gallery and perhaps select one to dedicate in honor of a deceased veteran. The “Honoree” as Hansen refers to them will have a ribbon made with their name and the patron can then take the poppy home with them at the time of sponsorship. The sponsor can also provide a photo and brief history of the individual to be added to the website as a memorial page dedicated to that person.
Julianne Hansen says, “We may not have a field of poppies this year, but this will not change the feelings of gratitude we have in our hearts for all men and women who have served and are no longer living. The poppies, like their seeds, will be scattered this year bringing comfort and remembrance to anyone who sees them”. The added benefit of shade and air conditioning will be a wonderful benefit that she and the many volunteers and attendees have not enjoyed for the past 5 years.
In addition to the indoor exhibit, each night of the Alabama Poppy Project display will present a video, visible from the public sidewalk in front of her store Hansen Fine Art & Pottery, located on the corner of Bridge Street and Main Streets, featuring a brief history of the Memorial Poppy, and how it came about, along with photos of those individuals being honored through Poppy Sponsorship in 2025.
The 2025 Alabama Poppy Project indoor display will Run from National Poppy Day, May 23 through Flag Day, June 14, 2025 – Hours to be announced.
Address: Julianne Hansen Fine Art & Pottery: 173 W. Main Street Prattville, Alabama 36067
Sponsor a poppy at www.alabamapoppyproject.com
Call 334.301.0336 to sponsor over the phone.
Cost is $50 and includes poppy, stake, dedication ribbon and memorial page on the website.
All stoneware poppies are suitable for indoor or outdoor display.
