KPU Surrey’s courtyard bursts with 200+ handmade ceramic poppies, blending art, remembrance, and unity while raising funds for the Royal Canadian Legion.
A Garden of Remembrance Blooms in Surrey
At Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) Surrey campus, a breathtaking sight awaits visitors more than 200 hand-crafted ceramic poppies gently swaying in the courtyard. This moving art installation, called Garden of Poppies, was created by fine arts instructor Ying-Yueh Chuang and international student Claudia Shen as a heartfelt tribute to veterans.
Art Meets Purpose
From November 12 to 18, visitors are invited to take home a ceramic poppy in exchange for a donation to the Royal Canadian Legion. Each contribution not only supports veterans but also allows participants to carry a piece of remembrance with them literally and symbolically.
“We’ve included signage for online donations, and beginning November 12, those who contribute can take home a poppy,” explained Shen, a fourth-year fine arts student at KPU.
Crafted with Care and Collaboration
The creation of the installation was a true community effort. Over the summer, Chuang and Shen hosted a poppy-making workshop, bringing together more than 50 artists, including KPU fine arts students and members of the Fraser Valley Potters Guild. Every petal was shaped by hand, representing collective gratitude and unity.
This collaboration isn’t the duo’s first. Their earlier ceramic project, When Will We Ever Learn, is currently displayed at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ontario, as part of the exhibition Remembrance Every Day: Lest We Forget, Let Us Create, Artists Commemorate, Canada Remembers.
A Message Beyond Borders
Chuang, originally from Taiwan, and Shen, from China, found inspiration for their collaboration amid ongoing political tensions between their homelands. For them, this project goes beyond art it’s a message of peace.
“Through this collaboration, we wanted to show that people of Chinese descent from different regions can come together to create something meaningful,” shared Chuang. “At a time when the world is witnessing so many wars, our goal is to remind everyone of the shared hope that peace can still prevail.”
Visit Before It’s Gone
The Garden of Poppies will be on display at KPU Surrey until November 11. Each ceramic bloom stands as a delicate yet powerful reminder that remembrance isn’t just about looking back, but about nurturing peace for the future.
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