About the Founder

Founded in 2020 by prolific artist Peggy Silverstein, Lighthorse Design was set-up as a business venture combining 3D technology with an ancient lost wax process to produce a line of cast bronze and stainless steel horse head wall sconces for market.

Peggy was an avid horse rider for twenty years; she stabled horses, mucked stalls, and became very familiar with the anatomy of these majestic animals in the process. She exhibited her art in painting, collage, and sculpture on Nantucket for two decades, including a solo exhibition entitled “The Horse,” showing her equine sculptures in copper, cement, and other materials. When she started metal work, prior to leaving Nantucket, Peggy sculpted a large copper horse with plumbing pipes, real horse hair for the mane and tail, and glass eyes. When she moved to New York City in 2016, it was natural to continue her exploration of metal sculpture. The horse became an object to focus on while developing her welding skills; it was easy to walk around the block from the Art Students League to observe the carriage horses in Central Park for reference.

Peggy Silverstein is a third generation artist. Her grandmother, Rose, graduated from Cooper Union in 1915 and got a degree in Engineering during World War II. Peggy’s multifaceted journey through the realms of art and therapy exemplifies a profound commitment to creativity and personal growth. With a foundation in fine art from Syracuse University, she furthered her education by obtaining a BA from Hofstra University and an MA in Art Therapy from Pratt Institute. Her extensive training was complemented by K–12 teaching certifications across New York and New Jersey. This educational background, paired with her experience raising three children, enriched her understanding of behavioral patterns and family dynamics, which she later integrated into her practice as an art therapist for over two decades.

Silverstein's artistic development is marked by rigorous training in sculpture at prestigious institutions such as Columbia University and the Educational Alliance. Under the tutelage of notable artists like Minoru Nizuma (Columbia) and Chaim Gross, she honed her skills in pneumatic stone carving and figurative work. This dedication culminated in the creation of a bronze bust commemorating Gross's contributions to art education. Her move to Nantucket in 1992 allowed her to exhibit diverse works including sculpture, painting, collage, and photography before returning to New York City for further artistic exploration at the Art Students League.

Pegasus
5’L x 3’H, copper pipes, horse hair, glass

Throughout her eighteen years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Silverstein not only taught but also learned extensively about various artistic eras (Re-Imagineers: Peggy Silverstein, 2024). This immersion deepened her appreciation for historical context within modern art practices. She has showcased her dynamic work for over fifty years across numerous exhibitions. Silverstein’s ongoing engagement with welding techniques reflects a continuous evolution in her artistry while reinforcing her belief in creativity as a transformative force (Re-Imagineers: Peggy Silverstein, 2024).

Peggy is a member of the New York Society of Women Artists and was a member of the Artists Association of Nantucket for 30 years. She has exhibited paintings, sculpture, and collage for over fifty years in both solo and group shows, and continues to create dynamic work that reflects decades of dedication to art, teaching, and the belief in creativity as a powerful force for growth.

Visit peggysilverstein.com to see view more of Peggy Silverstein’s artwork