Ceramic Mugs

Collector: Laura Kerr
Collection Title: Ceramic Mugs

Collector Statement:

"Laura Kerr and Aaron Moseley have spent nearly ten years collecting art from across the country and beyond. It began with picking up the occasional mug, which soon filled our lives. We met through ceramics at Kirkwood Community College, and art has remained a significant part of our lives. Aaron works as a ceramic artist, specializing in soda and wood-fired stoneware, which he sells at galleries and markets. After college, we moved to Virginia for Aaron’s pottery apprenticeship and Laura’s graduate studies. There, we visited art markets throughout the Southeast and joined other artists to expand our collection.

We’ve found art at markets, via social media, and on our travels, but ceramics remain our favorite. Our collection features pieces by both local and internationally recognized artists. It’s grown so large that it no longer fits in our cabinets or on Aaron’s handmade mug holder. Now, mugs sit on risers above our cabinets, and even that space is limited. We rotate mugs on display and in use, enjoying the daily ritual of handmade cups. When friends visit, we turn choosing a mug into a game. Each mug feels unique in your hand, reminding us to value the things we use every day.

A few mugs in our collection reflect who we are. One shows scenes from our favorite cozy fall show, “Over the Garden Wall.” Another, a skull cup made by a Chicago artist, was purchased early in the pandemic—fitting for the times. Lastly, there’s our wood-fired mug from a trip to Ireland. These pieces don’t just hold coffee; they hold stories of our adventures and the meaningful connections we've made."