\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA colorful new art installation at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is bringing one of Kansas City artist Jeff Hanson\u2019s dreams to life years after his death.The towering sculpture, called \u201cGrowing Kindness,\u201d was inspired by Hanson\u2019s signature poppy artwork and officially was installed this week at the arboretum in Overland Park.Hanson became internationally known for his colorful paintings and charitable giving before cancer claimed his life at age 27.\u201cHe thought big and he dreamed big, and this would make him so happy,\u201d said Julie Hanson.Jeff Hanson once described his work simply.\u201cMy art just makes me happy, it\u2019s happy art,\u201d Hanson said in archival video.The sculpture features massive stainless steel poppies designed to resemble floating balloons. Hanson loved poppies, and his family said the installation was designed to immerse visitors in the joyful feeling his artwork created.\u201cThey’re going to be able to touch the poppy and stand right underneath them and feel like a little ant underneath these massive Growing Kindness poppies,\u201d Julie Hanson said.The towering structure is made from stainless steel and is expected to last for centuries.Hanson battled low vision throughout his life while also fighting cancer. Even as his health declined, his parents said he constantly reminded people how much he loved them.\u201cHe would say to us multiple times a day, \u2018Love you. Love ya, Mom. I love ya,\u2019\u201d Julie Hanson said.Jeff Hanson dreamed of turning his artwork into large-scale sculptures, and his parents helped carry that vision forward after his death.\u201cI think his story was such a story of kindness that people of all ages would look up to Jeff and think, \u2018What am I doing?\u2019 So the Growing Kindness poppy sculpture, I feel, will touch millions of lives,\u201d Julie Hanson said.Hanson once called his art \u201ca sight for sore eyes.\u201dNow, his parents hope the sculpture becomes a place where visitors slow down, reflect and carry a little more kindness with them when they leave.\u201cWe need so much kindness in our world today, and I hope that just the name of it alone will inspire so many people,” his mother said.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tOVERLAND PARK, Kan. \u2014<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n A colorful new art installation at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is bringing one of Kansas City artist Jeff Hanson\u2019s dreams to life years after his death.<\/p>\n The towering sculpture, called \u201cGrowing Kindness,\u201d was inspired by Hanson\u2019s signature poppy artwork and officially was installed this week at the arboretum in Overland Park.<\/p>\n Hanson became internationally known for his colorful paintings and charitable giving before cancer claimed his life at age 27.<\/p>\n \u201cHe thought big and he dreamed big, and this would make him so happy,\u201d said Julie Hanson.<\/p>\n Jeff Hanson once described his work simply.<\/p>\n \u201cMy art just makes me happy, it\u2019s happy art,\u201d Hanson said in archival video.<\/p>\n The sculpture features massive stainless steel poppies designed to resemble floating balloons. Hanson loved poppies, and his family said the installation was designed to immerse visitors in the joyful feeling his artwork created.<\/p>\n \u201cThey’re going to be able to touch the poppy and stand right underneath them and feel like a little ant underneath these massive Growing Kindness poppies,\u201d Julie Hanson said.<\/p>\n The towering structure is made from stainless steel and is expected to last for centuries.<\/p>\n Hanson battled low vision throughout his life while also fighting cancer. Even as his health declined, his parents said he constantly reminded people how much he loved them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe would say to us multiple times a day, \u2018Love you. Love ya, Mom. I love ya,\u2019\u201d Julie Hanson said.<\/p>\n Jeff Hanson dreamed of turning his artwork into large-scale sculptures, and his parents helped carry that vision forward after his death.<\/p>\n \u201cI think his story was such a story of kindness that people of all ages would look up to Jeff and think, \u2018What am I doing?\u2019 So the Growing Kindness poppy sculpture, I feel, will touch millions of lives,\u201d Julie Hanson said.<\/p>\n Hanson once called his art \u201ca sight for sore eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, his parents hope the sculpture becomes a place where visitors slow down, reflect and carry a little more kindness with them when they leave.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need so much kindness in our world today, and I hope that just the name of it alone will inspire so many people,” his mother said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A colorful new art installation at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is bringing one of 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