For Julie and Hal Hanson, the new ‘Growing Kindness’ sculpture at the Overland Park Arboretum isn’t just about honoring their son Jeff, but about honoring the values he stood for. The $1.1 million sculpture, officially dedicated last week, is comprised of five stainless steel poppies that vary in height from 12 to 20 feet tall. It is modeled after Jeff’s distinctive paintings that mostly depicted flowers. His favorite flower to paint was a bright red poppy, which featured prominently in his work. Still, the Hansons ensured the sculpture represented more than just Jeff’s art—it embodied kindness, generosity, and community giving back. ‘Jeffrey had this core belief from early on: every act of kindness helps create kinder communities, more compassionate nations, and a better world,’ Hal said, recounting the statement his son lived by.
Honoring Jeff Hanson’s legacy of kindness: The sculpture, named ‘Growing Kindness,’ was unveiled near the entrance of the Overland Park Arboretum. In addition to the sculpture, the LongHouse Visitor Center now displays a painting in Jeff Hanson’s distinctive style, gifted to the city in his memory. The painting hangs near a window overlooking the poppy sculpture, allowing visitors to compare the original artwork to the inspired piece.
Jeff Hanson, who passed away in 2020 at age 27, was born with neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic condition causing tumors in the nervous system. A glioma on his optic nerve led to significant vision loss. As a 12-year-old undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, he began a philanthropic career selling watercolor notecards, raising $15,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. By his 20th birthday, he had raised $1 million for charity through paintings and auctions, eventually reaching $7 million at his death. Julie and Hal wanted Jeff remembered for the lives he touched, aiming to raise $10 million through his art.
The ‘Growing Kindness’ sculpture was planned over five years after Jeff’s death. Initially, the Hansons had no completed paintings to gift the city, so they worked on finishing commissions. The poppies were chosen as a tribute to Jeff’s favorite flower and his artistic style. The sculpture was funded by local metal firm Zahner and private donations, not by the Hansons themselves. It was dedicated on Aug. 21, 2026, during a thunderstorm, with Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog calling it a ‘monument to kindness.’ The dedication included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and private celebration, though the sculpture has been in development for years.
The sculpture’s design avoids naming Jeff, focusing instead on his mission of spreading kindness. Julie and Hal Hanson wore a gown painted by Jeff during the ceremony, emphasizing the tribute to his artistic legacy. The event was described as joyous by Julie, with Hal joking about Jeff’s love for practical jokes, even in a thunderstorm.