Poppies for Veterans: Symbols of Sacrifice

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 24 February 2016 16:14

Aerial Photo of Poppies 1

The Eastern Shore Art Center of Fairhope, Alabama created a beautiful display of over 3000 ceramic poppies to remember and honor veterans of our armed services. Over 300 members of the community participated in the 8 month project, and it raised over $35,000 for assistance to veterans in need. The display was inspired by the “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” installation at the Tower of London in 2014.

Each poppy was hand crafted by volunteers, from cutting the clay slab into poppy shapes, forming individual poppies, glazing, and attaching to a 2 foot long iron stem. Alligator’s MC105 Gator White Paper Clay was chosen for the ease of manipulating paper clay, and the cost savings of low firing. Mayco's Stroke and Coat® SC-74 Hot Tamale glaze was chosen for the beautiful opaque “poppy red” color, along with Stroke and Coat® SC-15 Tuxedo used for accents.

Cutting poppies 1
The Poppy Cutter was designed by a local welder.

Forming poppies 2
Many volunteers helped form all 3000 poppies.

 Drying poppies 1
Formed poppies set out to dry for bisque firing.

 Dipping 1
Poppies being glazed with SC-74 Hot Tamale.

Glazed on skewer 1
Placed on metal rods for drying before glaze firing.

Attaching Poppies
Poppies were then attached to quarter inch metal rods.


Sherry Simpson Frost 2 Lo Res

Poppies from ground level

Thank you Sherry Stimpson Frost Photography for her lovely captured moments of the Poppies for Veterans. 

We would also like to thank Claudia's Mud Hut (Pensacola, FL) for sharing this great project with us and to Gaye Lindsey for providing the article and photographs. 

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