Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Vega (Torres).
Monica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My parents instilled in me a love of arts and culture since I was a kid. As an adult, I knew I was a writer, but I was in the healthcare field like my most of family, and through a series of happy coincidences and fun transgressions, I found myself at the Vagabond, where I met the editor of Tropicult, Stef Vidal, who was looking for a writer. The signs lined up and it all flowed for me. I really enjoyed the experience and grateful for the opportunity she gave me. It was a segway into the arts world, at a time when it was booming. I met the most incredible people. It was about 2012 when “the Miami Renaissance was starting. Shortly after, I published articles in Miami New Times, ArtSlant, ArtSlantStreet, and miamiartzine.com. So, I left healthcare to follow my true love of writing. Although I love nonfiction and journalism, I am a poet first. Poetry was my first love in college. So, I got my MFA in Creative Writing, with a focus on Poetry. After teaching for some time at Miami Dade College and writing for other publications, I felt that I needed to start my own magazine because I wanted to focus on the stories that I felt were important that others did not want to publish because they might stir up controversy, especially around issues related to activism. I am also an art activist as many of my poems and songs are related to what is happening now in Miami with sea level rise and the main causes. Eventually, Miami Chronicles became a conscious online art magazine to emphasize progress, community wellness, awareness, and activism through the arts. There have been many ups and downs, but in the end I believe it is meant to be, and the universe brings me what I need at just the right time. I love what I do. You have to hold on to your dreams and keep working on yourself until you achieve them. Sometimes, it takes to while to come to find out exactly what you want. But when you know, you have to give it your all.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The course of true love never did run smooth. When you are following your passions, you have to make sacrifices. Obviously, there are monetary sacrifices that one must adapt to in the beginning. But no amount of money can compensate for not following your instinct, intuition, and true path. Some struggles include finding good contributors. I have been very lucky to find awesome people who believe in our mission. I met one of our photographers Yma Tejeda of Emma Sky Photography at Churchill’s Pub Theatre de Underground. The Monday night gathering of artists at the bar inspired me to start my open mic with a wellness twist, outside of a bar atmosphere, which is often sexist. The magazine provides an outlet for artists, writers, and photographers who are looking to build a portfolio. It’s a great opportunity for anyone starting out in the field especially because of the people he or she will meet along the way. As a woman leading an organization, you also come across added challenges in male-dominated society, but I don’t let them stop me.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Miami Chronicles – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We have a conscious online arts and culture magazine. We provide an outlet and platform for local artists of all genres, styles, and backgrounds. We specialize in conscious arts events and news with a focus on wellness. We host Conscious Creatives, a popular open mic event that features local artisans and artists in positive spaces outside of the typical club and bar scene. We also host other arts and culture events, with a wellness aspect. We bring together a community of like-minded artists who are interested in social progress, aware of issues affecting the city like climate change, and focused on improving the environment. I am most proud of bringing positive vibes to spaces in the community that seek to elevate people through creativity. Bringing people together in order to raise awareness about societal issues, to create art in non-toxic environments, and to nurture each other through holistic methods of healing is what sets us apart.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Miami is a magical city. I love the moon over Miami. It guides me, and I have never quite seen it the same anywhere else. The proximity to the ocean for me is vital as I was born on an island (Cuban) and lived the first three years of my life on an island (Canary Islands). I need to be near the sea in order to breath. I lived in New York City for a while and felt suffocated. I also love how the arts scene has boomed here in the last five years. Now what I don’t like. I don’t like the traffic. I don’t like rude drivers. I don’t like the heat, pretty much the things that no one likes about Miami.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1951 NW 7th Ave #600, Miami, FL 33136
- Website: http://www.miamichronicles.org/
- Email: editor@miamichronicles.org
- Instagram: @miamichronicles
- Facebook: @miamichronicles
- Twitter: @miamichronicles
Image Credit:
Emma Sky Photography
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