Celebrating Communities, One Mug At a time

Hand drawn Mugs Inspired by Community | Artist Ashley Ann

Artist Ashley Ann and the Elgin Mug available at Blue Box Cafe, Viator Coffee and DreamHall

Hi there,

I’m Ashley Ann, an artist with a passion for visual storytelling. I love crafting one-of-a-kind mugs that share the story of the communities I hold dear. With a Bachelor’s in Visual Communications from Northern Illinois University, my journey has taken me from Northern Illinois to Texas and later Canada.

What began as a Christmas gift for friends has evolved into collaborations with small business owners who share this passion for community. Together, we create custom mugs that celebrate each place’s unique story, history, and heartbeat—connecting people to the communities they cherish. Take a look around and discover how each mug is more than just a product—it’s a story waiting to be shared.

My Mug Artistry Origin Story

The journey began with a Christmas gift for friends in a remote fly-in community where my family serves as missionaries. Wanting to capture the essence of this special place, I designed mugs featuring its iconic elements. The joy on everyone's faces when they received their mugs filled my heart.

The following year, while awaiting the birth of our fourth daughter, I found comfort in drawing scenes that reminded me of the unique hub community where we were staying. A few days before her birth, we visited a local coffee shop with a mock-up of my latest mug design. To our surprise, what was expected to be a year’s worth of inventory sold out in just 24 hours! (Read more about this story and other news articles here)

Artist Ashley Ann designed the Sioux Lookout Mug in 2019

Community Collaboration

Since then, my journey has grown from creating mugs inspired by the places I've lived to collaborating with local small businesses to celebrate the unique stories, history, and character of their communities. It's an honor to continue blending visual storytelling with a shared love for the places we call home.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of this creative journey! Explore the latest press coverage of my mugs. Find your community's mug today, or let’s work together to celebrate it with a custom design!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ashley Ann

Mug Turned Mural

Collaborating To Celebrate Elgin

I didn't know what to think when I heard that a group of local businesses in Elgin wanted to collaborate to make my drawings into a 30 foot mural in the middle of the newly renovated Dupage Court! Joel Amore, an incredibly gifted mural artist braved the cold and brought all his incredible skills to the table, making The Elgin Mug larger than life in a stunning tribute to this beautiful community! I'm beyond thrilled that this collaboration—brought to life by Dream Hall at 51, Viator Coffee Co., and Blue Box Cafe—made it all possible. Elgin, you are truly one-of-a-kind, and this mug turned mural is a beautiful reflection of the community that makes it so special! Read Chicago Tribune's story on The Elgin mug becoming Elgin's Mural here.

Community Mugs On Instagram