Meet Summer Gillam | Candle Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Summer Gillam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Summer, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I created my business so that I could offer a more inclusive options of modern, black candle art. It took hundreds of hours of crafting and creativity, but I am proud to offer the only full collection of Black-inspired sculptural candles available in the US, possibly in the world. Diversity and inclusion are extremely important to me, not only of Black excellence but also of Black sophistication. Moving away from the typical ancestral and tribal aesthetic to a more sophisticated and modern one, my line of sculptural candles captures the beauty and essence of the current black man and woman.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My business origin story is one grounded in inspiration and ingenuity, but probably not dissimilar to many other small business owners. It started with just an idea for a sculptural candle collection that celebrated modern black men and women. After a google search for that product during Covid, I got zero results and thought it strange that something so basic didn’t exist. It might seem like a niche item that is too specific to matter, but my immediate question was why shouldn’t it matter? My online search provided hundreds of sculptural candle options that represented everyone else…Greek, Roman, Western influenced, etc. But none celebrated modern black/African American culture.
The few options that I did find worked more for a tribal aesthetic, not a modern one. But I wanted something that looked like me and reflected my modern decor aesthetic. Blacks have shaped and changed history in every century, so why was a more modern representation not reflected? I thought what I would now consider to be my ‘famous last words’ and simply said “well, I will just make them myself!” From that effort, the “She is Me” collection was created. It’s a series of (2) candles representative of black women and culture and named after black females that I consider to be inspiring. I have also begun a “He is Me” line as well, offering just a single male candle option for now – but I have many more coming.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely convince a friend to visit in the Fall, when the leaves changing are at their peak colors and we can spend a day enjoying the crisp air and beautiful scenery of the NC mountains. We would grab coffee at Sumaq Coffee, then head up Blue Ridge and find a hiking trail with a waterfall waiting for us. Back in town, we would check out an art exhibit for a couple hours and then relax at Camp Northend for the early evening. For dinner, Yume would definitely be the spot for amazing ramen!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I credit my business inspiration, development and any future success completely to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I started my business during a very uncertain period in my life and used candles as a creative outlet to help me stay grounded and inspired while looking for a new job. God told me to step out on faith, to trust him and I knew He would provide for me. I can truly say that most of my life, I never knew how to focus my creative skills, but He directed my path. I can’t imagine another venture being as fun, fulfilling and impactful as what I have chosen to do, and I am so glad that I have not let the obstacles deter me!

Website: https://bailiwickstudio.org/

Instagram: @bailiwickcandle

Facebook: Bailiwick Studio