Navillus Woodworks recently found a new platform to showcase their extraordinary work: the Hulu series “The Bear.” This critically acclaimed show, which received the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series in 2024 along with ten Primetime Emmy Awards, featured Navillus chairs and tables as part of its set design. The inclusion of Navillus pieces in “The Bear” underscores the show’s commitment to authenticity and quality, as well as the appeal of Navillus’s unique design aesthetic.

“The Bear” has captivated audiences with its compelling storytelling and rich, immersive settings. The furniture from Navillus Woodworks not only adds to the visual appeal of the show but also enhances the narrative by providing a tangible connection to the real-life craftsmanship and artistry of Chicago. This collaboration highlights how integral design and craftsmanship are to creating an authentic and engaging viewing experience.

The recognition and exposure from being featured in a high-profile series like “The Bear” are well-deserved accolades for Navillus Woodworks. It is a testament to their relentless pursuit of perfection and their ability to infuse every project with a sense of artistry and attention to detail. This achievement is a reflection of the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of woodworking and design.

Navillus Woodworks continues to innovate and inspire, taking on new projects that challenge their creativity and expertise. Their work is a celebration of the rich heritage of woodworking while embracing modern design sensibilities. By blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, Navillus Woodworks is not only preserving an age-old craft but also redefining it for future generations.

Navillus Woodworks is honored to be featured in the June 2026 issue of Woodworking Network Magazine, one of the industry’s leading publications dedicated to custom woodworking, furniture manufacturing, technology, and craftsmanship. The feature shines a spotlight on the people, projects, and philosophy that have shaped Navillus into one of Chicago’s premier custom fabrication and woodworking studios.

For our team, this recognition is about much more than being featured in a magazine. It represents two decades of dedication to craft, collaboration, innovation, and a belief that woodworking can play a meaningful role in art, architecture, hospitality, and public life.

A National Platform for Chicago Craftsmanship

The article highlights Navillus’ unique position at the intersection of fine furniture, architectural millwork, museum fabrication, public art, and commercial design. While many woodworking firms focus on a single niche, Navillus has built a reputation for translating ambitious creative visions into reality across a wide range of industries.

From custom furniture and hospitality environments to large-scale public art installations, our work is rooted in the idea that exceptional craftsmanship can elevate the experience of a space. Being recognized by a national publication reinforces the value of this multidisciplinary approach and showcases the incredible work being produced here in Chicago.

Recognition for Landmark Projects

The feature showcases several projects that have become important milestones in the growth of Navillus Woodworks.

Among them is our work for The Salt Shed, one of Chicago’s most iconic new music venues. The article highlights the custom bars designed and fabricated for the venue, emphasizing the collaboration between Navillus and fellow Dock 6 Collective member Zak Rose. These projects demonstrate how custom woodworking can become a defining architectural feature within a larger space.

The article also highlights our involvement with Hulu’s award-winning television series The Bear. Navillus’ custom Franklin dining chairs, tables, and stools were selected for the restaurant featured in the show, introducing our work to a national audience. While furniture is often meant to quietly support an experience, seeing our pieces become part of one of television’s most celebrated productions was an exciting moment for the entire team.

Another featured project is Scala, the monumental 40-foot by 40-foot sculpture designed by Edra Soto and Dan Sullivan for the University of Illinois Chicago’s Computer Design and Science Building. Fabricated by Navillus at Dock 6, the installation required over a mile of three-inch-thick poplar and hundreds of individually crafted components. Its inclusion in the article underscores the firm’s ability to move seamlessly between furniture making and complex architectural-scale fabrication.

Investing in the Future

The article also explores Navillus’ ongoing investment in technology and manufacturing capabilities. While our work is deeply rooted in traditional craftsmanship, we continually embrace new tools that allow us to execute increasingly ambitious projects.

Recent investments in advanced CNC technology have expanded our ability to create intricate carvings, complex geometries, custom components, and precision fabrication across a wide range of materials. These capabilities allow us to support artists, architects, designers, museums, and commercial clients with solutions that would have been difficult or impossible just a few years ago.

For Navillus, technology is not a replacement for craftsmanship. Rather, it is another tool that allows us to achieve a higher level of precision, consistency, and creative possibility.

The Power of Collaboration

One of the themes highlighted throughout the article is collaboration. Much of Navillus’ success stems from its deep relationships with artists, architects, engineers, fabricators, and fellow members of the Dock 6 Collective.

Many of our most successful projects begin with a sketch, concept, or idea that requires multiple disciplines to bring to life. Our role is often to bridge the gap between vision and reality, helping clients solve technical challenges while preserving the integrity of the original design.

Whether collaborating with nationally recognized artists, museum curators, hospitality groups, or local business owners, the goal remains the same: build something exceptional.

A Reflection of Twenty Years of Growth

For founder Dan Sullivan, the Woodworking Network feature represents a reflection on how far Navillus has come since its founding in 2005. What began as a small custom woodworking studio has grown into a respected fabrication company working on some of the most visible cultural, commercial, and artistic projects in Chicago and beyond.

Today, Navillus projects can be found in museums, universities, restaurants, public spaces, hotels, television productions, and private collections. Yet the mission remains unchanged: create thoughtful, lasting work that honors both design and craftsmanship.

Looking Ahead

We are incredibly grateful to Woodworking Network Magazine for featuring our story and recognizing the work of our talented team. Most importantly, we want to thank the artists, architects, designers, clients, and collaborators who trust us with their ideas.

This recognition serves as both a milestone and a reminder that the best projects are still ahead. As Navillus continues to grow, invest in new capabilities, and take on increasingly ambitious work, we remain committed to creating exceptional pieces that enrich the spaces and communities they serve.

From custom furniture and architectural millwork to public art and museum exhibitions, we are proud to continue building Chicago’s creative future—one project at a time.

WBEZ recently profiled Navillus founder Dan Sullivan and artist Edra Soto, highlighting their creative partnership, individual accomplishments, and deep-rooted impact on Chicago’s cultural landscape. From major public art installations to high-profile collaborations, the article explores how their relationship, shared values, and tireless work ethic continue to shape the city’s art, design, and architectural fabric.

Below is a summary, but you can read the full article by Alison Cuddy on the WBEZ website here.

“Chicago’s busiest art couple is shaping the city one project at a time”

At Navillus Woodworks, we see every project as an opportunity to shape culture, build community, and push the boundaries of craft. That mission is embodied in our founder, Dan Sullivan, whose creative and professional life is deeply entwined with Chicago’s vibrant art scene — and with his longtime partner, acclaimed artist Edra Soto.

Together, Dan and Edra have become a driving force in the city’s cultural fabric. From Millennium Park and the Salt Shed to the National Public Housing Museum and even the set of The Bear, their fingerprints are everywhere — often through joint works that blend Edra’s conceptual vision and Dan’s fabrication expertise.

A Creative Partnership Forged in Art and Love

Dan met Edra over 20 years ago at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was starting her MFA and he was working in the registrar’s office. Their creative partnership formed quickly and has only deepened over decades of collaboration — starting with her thesis installation and growing into a portfolio of work that spans sculpture, architecture, music, and public art.

Today, they live in East Garfield Park, where they also run The Franklin, their backyard gallery space. Whether co-curating exhibitions or co-creating sculptural installations, Dan and Edra are constantly building — for each other, for artists, and for the public.

Navillus Woodworks: Art Meets Precision Fabrication

Navillus Woodworks began as a way for Dan to bring artists’ visions to life with expert craftsmanship and high-end execution. What started small has grown into a robust operation with a warehouse on Chicago’s West Side and a team of 15. The firm specializes in custom fabrication for museum exhibitions, public installations, commercial interiors, and private spaces — always with a dedication to material integrity and artistic intent.

Our portfolio includes collaborations with artists like Luftwerk, Marshall Brown, and Candida Alvarez, as well as major civic projects like Revival Food Hall and Soto’s landmark Graft series. Graft, which explores the decorative ironwork of Puerto Rican homes, is now part of the Whitney Museum’s permanent collection.

Whether building a three-dimensional pavilion for Millennium Park, working under tight deadlines for ambitious installations, or crafting precise details for commercial clients, Navillus ensures every piece is safe, on-time, and true to the artist’s vision.

A Life in Sync: Balancing Art, Business, and Family

Dan’s life has always been a balancing act — from touring as a musician with bands like Arriver and NadNavillus, to handcrafting guitars and furniture, to leading a fabrication team and supporting Edra’s rising national profile. While Edra shows work at EXPO Chicago and prepares for exhibitions in New York, Cleveland, Toronto, and Florida, Dan continues to lead the build side — helping translate abstract ideas into functional, durable structures.

Their connection is more than creative — it’s also deeply personal. They’ve navigated life’s milestones together, from a spontaneous engagement across international waters to family shifts and personal loss. Through it all, their shared purpose has remained constant: to support one another and serve the greater creative community.

As Dan often says, “Our job is to reach a point where we compromise as little as possible, so that the vision stays intact.” That philosophy guides everything we do at Navillus.

Looking Ahead

With dozens of new projects underway — including public art at University of Illinois Chicago and new music from NadNavillus — Dan Sullivan and Navillus Woodworks remain at the center of Chicago’s cultural conversation.

We’re not just builders. We’re collaborators, problem-solvers, and partners to artists. And like the city we love, we’re always in motion.