Meet Pangea Kali Virga | fiber artist, sustainability advocate, fashion designer, educator, event producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pangea Kali Virga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pangea, how does your business help the community?
Social good is a foundational element to all of my work, whether that be the public programming I produce, the art I make, the clothes I design, or the classes I teach. Sustainability is integrated into everything so that the environmental impact of my work has a positive ripple effect.

The work has had tangible results. I have been able to provide the community access to free educational art programming for students from all backgrounds, ages 4-95. The free clothing swaps have saved hundreds of garments and materials from landfill and given them new life. I am also very proud that this programming has highlighted the work of dozens of local artists, and helped to raise their profiles and establish networks of likeminded creatives, educators, patrons, and institutions. I have also mentored dozens of young adults, both as an artist and as a sustainability advocate.

I work regularly with institutions like public schools, homeless shelters, the library system, museums, galleries, and more to make my work as available as possible to interact with, collaborate, and appreciate.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art practice is really multi-faceted, but its main principles are community action, fiber, fashion, and fun.

My design and art work is all upcycled and zero waste, with materials being sourced directly from the community. All of my clothes and artworks are one-of-a-kind and completely original. I began my career within the traditional fashion industry as a designer, but I pivoted to making art and programming (in 2021 and 2019 respectively), due mostly to my concerns about the fashion industry’s impact on labor and the environment. It’s exciting be part of the solution.

When you really love the work you do, it feels less like work. The job of being an environmental, community driven artist can be extremely exciting. I work 6 days a week doing a pretty broad range of projects: hosting workshops, creating big collaborative installations, sewing original designs, meeting about zero-waste initiatives, lecturing at colleges, filmmaking, partnering with farmers for projects, and so much more. Every day and every week is different.

The road to the position I’m in now as a professional artist has been challenging, but extremely rewarding. I got to this place because I refuse to give up, I’m not afraid to propose projects, ask for budgets, or cold call the institutions I want to work with. I love to dream big and follow the dreams up with the labor to make it a reality. Artists face a lot of rejection, and it can be demoralizing. One way or another, you have to roll your sleeves up and knock on doors, send e-mails, apply for the shows. The key is to work hard and persist.

Collaboration has opened up new paths for my practice that I never expected. Integrating environmentalism into my business and art is not just the right thing to do, but also has helped me stand out.

I want everyone to know that anyone can join me on this journey by attending one my many events, buying a piece of original clothing, collaborating with me, or by visiting my artist studio in Little River.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve been living in Miami for almost 6 years now and have fallen in love with so many cultural spots, parks, venues and restaurants.

I’m fully vegan and the Miami vegan spots don’t disappoint. My favorite vegan restaurants are Planta (with locations in Miami Beach and Coral Gables), Full Bloom (Miami Beach), Love Life (Wynwood), Plantisserie (Little River), Naomi’s Garden (Little Haiti, about half the menu is vegan), L’Artisane (Coral Gables), and last but not least all of the amazing vendors at the Urban Oasis Farmers Markets at Legion Park (Saturdays) and Vizcaya Village (Sundays).

My favorite nature spots are Oleta State Park, Everglades National Park, Fairchild Botanical Garden, Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Kampong, and the Deering Estate. My favorite public parks are Simpson Park, Legion Park, Museum Park, and Collins Park. A long walk, an intimate picnic, reading a book near the bay, and bird-watching are some of the ways I like to enjoy these spaces.

You can often find me in art museums like the ICA (Design District), BASS (Miami Beach), PAMM (Edgewater), SuperBlue, Rubell Museum, and Vizcaya (Coral Gables). Beyond the exhibitions, these institutions have fabulously fun programming.

My favorite places to relax are at the Standard Spa and at the various free yoga classes in the parks around the city.

Some of my favorite activities include the Seabird Station sunset cruises, concerts at Revolution Live (technically not in Miami but its a quick trip), and the Bandshell, I also love exploring all of Art Week in December.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have many muses and find inspiration and lessons everywhere I turn.

First, I am forever grateful to the 3,000+ local students and collaborators I have worked with over the years. I truly believe that everyone has something to learn and something to teach, and I have learned so much and been deeply inspired by these interactions and relationships. I also want to shout out all of the phenomenal cultural institutions within the city of Miami for their ongoing programming, exhibitions, and communities. Thank you for feeding our souls. The library system, the art museums, the botanical gardens, the theaters: it is such an honor working with so many of you all.

Secondly I want to thank my life partner, Nico Hough, for his unceasing encouragement and daily inspiration. I have learned so much about commitment, honesty, communication, vulnerability, compassion, sweetness, and gratitude through our love. It is our greatest project.

Thirdly, I want to thank the many activists throughout history who have created the roadmaps for standing up for what is right and good. Understanding these legacies allows the present to flourish and course-correct in creative and effective ways. I am forever touched by the many who have stood up against war, the degradation of our environment, and the exploitation of labor. There are many local organizations and individuals in Miami who are carrying on in that tradition and deserve a shout out– so thank you to all of the great activist orgs and artists, including Debris Free Oceans, ReWild Miami, Miami Seed Share, ReCreate Miami. Thank you for fighting the good fight.

I want to acknowledge the deep and resounding impact that being in nature has on my well-being, my practice, and my future. Big shout out to the Atlantic Ocean, to Everglades National Park and to Oleta State Park.

And lastly, shout out to the person reading this. You’re doing great! I’m proud of you.

Website: https://www.pangeakalivirga.com

Instagram: @pangeakalivirga and @_pangeakalivirga

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbq-YcZfhvLh4_pH1o17b7Q

Image Credits
Image 1 (woman in mask in nature), photo by Ryan Swartzlander, garment, creative direction, and text by Pangea Kali Virga. Image from the film A Season Cocooned and fashion collection, Inner Compulsion.
Image 2- (gridded image of people in nature clothing), photos by Logan Fazio, garment, creative direction, and production by Pangea Kali Virga of my All Material Comes From The Earth collection
Image 3- (quilt with rainbow people), photo by Ryan Swartzlander and edited by Nico Hough, art by Pangea Kali Virga
Image 4-(cyanotype workshop image), photo by Christopher Rodriguez for Vizcaya Museum of my commissioned project Ecotopia
Image 5- portrait of the artist by Karli Evans
Image 6- (mending workshop image) photo for Vizcaya Museum
Image 7 (quilt) – photo by Ryan Swartzlander and edited by Nico Hough, art by Pangea Kali Virga
Image 8- Miami On Sight fashion shows executive produced by Pangea Kali Virga with photography highlighted by Simon Soong, Noam Yemini, and Andre Scheidt