Hand-drawn hometown collection
A hand-drawn celebration of Elmhurst, available exclusively at Brewpoint Coffee.
15 oz ceramic mugMicrowave safeDishwasher safe
Community
Elmhurst blends neighborhood warmth with an active cultural scene and an inviting downtown. Wilder Park, the Elmhurst Art Museum, York Theatre, the Prairie Path, and the university bring together art, history, recreation, and the everyday places that make a community feel complete.
The collaboration
While making town mugs across Northern Illinois, I wanted to draw one for Elmhurst. Its leafy neighborhoods stood out to me: so many trees in a suburb close to Chicago. I began gathering the local places and details that make the town feel like itself and drawing them by hand.
I reached out to Melissa Villanueva at Brewpoint Coffee with the artwork, and she loved the idea. We talked with the Brewpoint team about the mug and added their logo to the design. It has been a pleasure collaborating with Melissa and the staff, and the mugs have continued to sell well through their cafés.
I am grateful for their support and for the opportunity to celebrate Elmhurst through a local coffee shop that cares about its community.
The story behind the mug
Inside the illustration
Wilder Park forms a cultural hub in central Elmhurst, bringing together the public library, art museum, Wilder Mansion, and conservatory.
Located in Wilder Park, Elmhurst Art Museum pairs visual art with the architectural legacy of Mies van der Rohe’s McCormick House.
The restored York Theatre anchors downtown Elmhurst’s moviegoing tradition with its historic facade and modern cinema screens.
Old Main is a historic Elmhurst University landmark recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Illinois Prairie Path connects Elmhurst’s neighborhoods to a regional network of trails for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature.
Elmhurst’s Metra station links the downtown district with Chicago and western suburbs along the Union Pacific West line.
Journal · Behind the drawing
A closer look at the Elmhurst places and the local collaboration behind Ashley Ann’s hand-drawn mug.
Read the story
