In the universe of things that Sylvie Rosenthal and her team of queer, trans, and femme artisans are building at Lower Astronomy Studios, craft isn’t just about making objects—it’s about making meaning, building community, and creating a future worth investing in.

When you first encounter Sylvie Rosenthal’s work, you might notice the precision: Expertly notched joints, meticulously chiseled forms, finely carved details, even some marbled surfaces. But spend more time with her pieces, and something deeper emerges: A thoughtful reimagining of what furniture and objects can be and what they can mean in our homes and lives. We are reminded of the power we possess to direct the investment of our money to the people we wish to support, in accordance with our values, as we mindfully form our individual and collective futures.

Furniture & Sculpture 

Rosenthal is the founder of Madison-based Lower Astronomy Studios (LAS). The name “Lower Astronomy” refers to what can be seen with the naked eye, or what Rosenthal calls “the universe of things” on Earth—the constellations of furniture, sculpture, relationships, and meaning that we form in our everyday lives. The custom-designed interiors and objects created at LAS are intended to reveal those relationships and resonate in the spaces they inhabit. That philosophy seemingly infuses everything designed and created at LAS woodworking studio.

With a BFA in Woodworking and Furniture Design from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology and an MFA in Sculpture from UW-Madison, Rosenthal brings both technical expertise and conceptual depth to her practice. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, but it’s in her Madison studio where her vision truly comes to life.

Affirming Work Environment 

To Sylvie, whose path to becoming an expert woodworker took her through both encouraging and hostile learning and work spaces, it is critical to foster a healthy professional and supportive creative culture in the studio, with the people who assist her. That is why she is proud that LAS is a studio where queer, gender-nonconforming artisans can create in a positive and affirming environment.

Public Commissions 

This forward-thinking approach is evident in standout pieces which showcase the studio’s exceptional range and vision. Among Rosenthal’s most significant public commissions is The Gathering Table (2021), created collaboratively with Olivia Dahlquist of the UW’s 4W Initiative and Lori DiPrete Brown. The finished piece, in UW-Madison’s Hamil Library at Memorial Union, celebrates 150 years of women at the university.

Crafted from Wisconsin quarter-sawn white oak, the tabletop celebrates the native oak savanna ecosystem, featuring inlaid images of native plants interwoven with depictions of women engaged in university work. With no identifying features of age or ethnicity, these figures allow all women to see themselves within the piece. The women are depicted in various poses that convey studying, thinking, sowing seeds, resting/dreaming, and restoring. Concentric brass circles represent layers of community, while brass dots evoke the night sky. At the center lies the Cassiopeia constellation, inlaid with epoxy and red sand, its “W” shape honoring resilience and remembrance.

During the milling process, Rosenthal discovered lead shot embedded within the Oak. Rather than removing these remnants, she incorporated them alongside the constellation—a powerful symbol of wounding and repair that resonates with many women.

Another piece of public art Rosenthal created is A Wishing Well (2023) for Madison Public Library. The sculpture was designed in collaboration with the Bubbler’s then artist-in-residence, Maria Schirmer. Artist and Madison Public Library Bubbler Program Administrator, Carlee Latimer explained, “They helped us envision a vessel that can hold the hopes and dreams of our community—everyday things like ‘I hope my bestie likes her birthday presents,’ to deeper human longings like, ‘I wish my family would finally accept me for who I am.’” Latimer continued, “Sylvie and the LAS team bring an intentionality to the projects they take on. They shared with us the process photos/videos which created a broader understanding of what it means for objects to be human made.”

In their Instagram feed during the creation of A Wishing Well, LAS described themselves as becoming “a circle factory,” making 23 poplar circles with 16 pieces per circle stack which were stack-laminated together. The roof of the wishing well holds a green metal panel which provides space for a magnetic letter prompt. The small roof opens to store the letters. A Wishing Well was created to be able to come apart and travel to libraries in areas of Madison where residents are grappling with a particular question about their future. The prompt can be modified, and A Wishing Well can hold the hopes and dreams of that neighborhood.

Custom Projects 

While LAS is always open to public commissions, they are especially honored to create custom projects for people’s homes. LAS excels at transforming living spaces through thoughtfully designed custom work. Whether you are renovating a kitchen, seeking a statement dining table, or dreaming of a uniquely sculptural built-in, LAS approaches each project with boundless creativity and technical precision.

Rosenthal seemingly thrives on challenges that push the boundaries of conventional woodworking. Their website states, “We love a problem to solve. We love an open-ended question.” From kitchen islands and backlit cabinets and dining tables to assembled objects and sculptures, LAS works closely with clients, artists, and designers to bring extraordinary visions to life. LAS’s exquisite craftsmanship is accessible to clients across the country. For those seeking woodwork that transcends the ordinary, Lower Astronomy Studios offers an unparalleled combination of artistic vision and exquisite execution.

Home Goods 

The LAS website includes a “Home Goods” option under the “Shop” tab on their page which displays the vases, benches, and mirrors they sell. Ruthless Mirror (≈ h40” x w22”), for example, is made from poplar hardwood. This striking mirror exemplifies Rosenthal’s production line while maintaining the soulful touch of a handcrafted work. Bold and graceful, the mirror honors the spirit of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her determination to flourish despite adversity.

The frame features an organic, flowing design that seems to grow around the mirror’s surface; though it doesn’t circle the whole mirror, it isn’t random either. Rosenthal finds the perfect balance, characteristic of her aesthetic. Poplar hardwood is finished to enhance its natural beauty while creating a form that commands attention without being overwhelming.

As a functional object that’s also deeply symbolic, Ruthless Mirror encourages viewers to see themselves reflected alongside the values of courage, truth, and persistence. It is available as part of LAS’s production line, making Rosenthal’s artistic vision accessible to a wider audience while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship.

For those who wish to bring a piece of LAS into their homes, mirrors and benches offer an entryway into Rosenthal’s distinctive vision. Those pieces combine Rosenthal’s expert woodworking with conceptual depth. Their forms are both familiar and imaginative, inviting viewers to reconsider their relationship with functional objects. The work exemplifies how Rosenthal brings her artistic sensibility to production pieces, making her work more accessible while maintaining exceptional quality.

Making Connections 

In uncertain times, Rosenthal’s work reminds us of the value of thoughtful, handmade objects that connect us to our spaces and to each other. When she starts to feel overwhelmed, Rosenthal looks toward anything that is “forward-orienting.” This future-focused perspective helps her stay grounded and drives her to create work that will last—not just physically, but conceptually and emotionally.

Rosenthal also feels a deep connection to nature. She loves being outside and hearing the birds. This connection to the natural world infuses her work with an organic quality, even in its most architectural forms.

By investing in Rosenthal’s hand-crafted pieces—whether a custom commission or one of her “Modern, Common + Uncommon objects for the home”—clients are both acquiring beautiful objects and participating in a meaningful act: choosing quality, community, and connection in a world that often prioritizes the disposable and the digital.

Karin Wolf is an arts administrator, freelance arts writer, and consultant. She likes to get deep and try to understand complex art, people, and ideas. Writing about them is her favorite way to do so. She has a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and undergraduate degrees in History, History of Cultures, and Afro-American History.