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There are numerous design agencies worldwide, yet only 1% of them are women-owned. Sister Mary, an agency based in New York, is dedicated to altering this ratio and motivating more women to establish their own businesses.

Drawing inspiration from Sister Mary Corita Kent, a pop artist, nun, and women's rights activist in the 60s, Sister Mary opened it's studio in August 2023. However, the agency encountered a challenge. Despite the founder's two-decade tenure in the design industry and work with clients in cannabis, alcoholic beverages, and wellness sectors, sharing their work proved difficult due to intricate noncompete agreements and extended lead times for ongoing projects.

To overcome this, the studio set its own 'Dream Brief': crafting bespoke, maximalist prayer candles to manifest its beliefs and passions. 2 of 4 The inspiration struck during a routine visit to a local bodega, a typical New York discount store carrying prayer candles depicting saints, cartoons, and memes.

Recognizing the potential to transform the ordinary into coveted items, Sister Mary conceptualized a design that blended the artistic tradition of votive candles with a fresh, bold perspective, reflected in a richly illustrated holographic label.

The overarching concept for these candles is "Beacon of Change," symbolizing Sister Mary's commitment to transforming agency ownership, operational approaches, and encouraging brands to shift from 'blanding' to a more experimental and expressive creative space.

The artwork intertwines Biblical imagery, Tarot symbolism, and mystic elements, including a winking nun as a tribute to Sister Mary Corita Kent. Another homage is the inclusion of the text “When in doubt turn off the lights,” originating from a wartime poster in Kent's collage piece. The final design incorporates unique Easter eggs, personal to the founder. A lit joint disguised as a candle and subtle marijuana leaves pay homage to the founder's experience designing for cannabis brands. An occultic Pentacle signifies a tarot reading pivotal in the agency's inception, while sunflowers represent enduring relationships with dream clients. The keyhole silhouette of a Queen chess piece symbolizes power, and the bee denotes collaboration toward a greater goal.

These candles, intended as promotional gifts, aim not only to build Sister Mary's devoted following but also to advocate for industry change. Through design, the agency believes it can wield the power to effect transformation, echoing the influence of Sister Mary Corita Kent in the 1960's.