About

Novilee Magpali (she/they) is a Virginia based artist working with clay, paper, and textiles to explore their childhood memories, their Filipino-American heritage, and their familial, platonic, and romantic relationships. Novilee uses their artworks and art objects as a vehicle to honor their connections to the past and those who have molded their person. Their work reflects their life, which is boldly defined by their motto: "To be a mosaic of everyone l've loved.”

Let's connect! ~ [email protected]

Statement

I am a mosaic of everyone I've ever met. The people in my life are central to my work, and I often draw inspiration from memories of my childhood, my Filipino heritage and relationships to those around me. Creating work that embodies these influences is a way for me to honor the connections to my past and those who have made me who I am.Through ceramic and paper processes I explore these ideas in both sculptural and semi-functional art objects. Ceramic work and printmaking is labor intensive and I view that labor as an act of love and care - it’s a reflection of the love and care that has been shown to me by others in my life, and making this work it is an outward expression of the gratitude, longing, and connection I feel.My ceramic vessels, sculptures, and art objects embody these themes - they are colorful and playful yet genuine and earnest, functioning purposefully with heartfelt sentiment. My work is both inspired by people in my life, and made with those others in mind - I consider use, functionality and the way that the work will interact with a body, or make a viewer/user feel. The way the work makes another person feel is very important to me and it is always my intention that the work brings joy to others, as others have brought such joy to me.

Novilee Magpali

Craft/Material Studies
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://novilee.xyz/
Instagram: @magnovilee
Location: Richmond, VA

Education

2023 - Bachelors of Fine Art, major in Craft/Material Studies - Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
2022 - A(mended) Image - Textiles with Jim Arendt - Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Gatlinburg, TN

Group Exhibitions

2025 - Wild Clay, Envelope Services - Richmond, VA
2025 - Open Salon Show, Envelope Services - Richmond, VA
2023 - Hadad's Lake Art Show, Hadad's Lake - Richmond, VA
2023 - Ground, Shockoe Valley Mfg. - Richmond, VA
2023 - Take Up Space, Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA
2023 - Craft/Material Studies BFA Exhibition, Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA
2022 - VCUArts Undergrad Juried Exhibition, Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA
2021 - To Keep You Warm: An Exhibition of Quilts, Visual Arts Center of Richmond - Richmond, VA
2019 - Spukhaus, Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA

Art Markets and Fairs

2025 - Pittsburgh Zine Fair, The Kingsley - Pittsburgh, PA
2025 - RVA Makerfest 2025, Deep Run High School - Richmond, VA
2025 - Richmond Zine Fest, Richmond Public Library - Richmond, VA
2025 - Old Town Alexandria Arts & Crafts Festival, Old Town Waterfront - Alexandria, VA
2025 - Capital Art Book Fair, Eastern Market - Washington, DC
2024 - Richmond Zine Fest, Richmond Public Library - Richmond, VA

Events

Lucky Girl MarketJanuary 11, 11am-4pmR.House ~ 301 W. 29th St., BMORE

Cut & Run Vintage MarketJanuary 17, 11am-4pmStudio Two Three ~ 109 W 15th St., RVA

Retail

Disco Bunny's Art Vending Machine @ SCRAP RVA - HAIR CLIPS ONLYDecember 2025 through February 2026SCRAP RVA ~ 322 W Brookland Park Blvd

Commissions

A $25 deposit will be required prior to the commissions process beginning. This deposit will go towards the total price of your order.

THE PROCESS:

  1. You submit the form

  2. We collaborate over email / text / call

  3. Once details are finalized, 50% of the total payment is due upfront. Projects vary depending on complexity and increase as more elements are included in the final design.

  4. I get to work!

  5. We can coordinate local pickup (RVA) or shipping. Shipping costs not included.

PRICING DETAILS:

  • Pricing for fully custom designs vary depending on complexity. Browse my instagram for ideas: @magnovilee

  • I can work with you on pricing! I am open to partial trades as well (~:

Zines & Self-Published Works

Windows
Published 2025This photo/perzine explores longing, cultural identity, and the phenomenon of Othering.

Alitaptap (Firefly)
Published 2025A zine about the Filipino legend of the fireflies. Adapted from Jordan Clark's "The Heartbreaking Story of ALITAPTAP: A Bataan Legend"

This is Bunny
Published 2025An 8-page mini zine about a childhood comfort stuffed animal.

Kismet
Published 2023An 8-page mini zine about a happy ending and a new beginning.

A Modern Romance As Told Through Tweets
Published 2023An 8-page mini zine about a situationship.

Apple Zine
Published 2025An 8-page tiny zine about all kinds of apples.

Just Teeth
Published 2024An art mini zine created using block printing.

The Last Few Days
Published 2023A 16-page mini zine detailing the final week in my city before moving back to my hometown.

Perpetual Pit
Published 2023A 12-page mini zine about a deep, unsettling feeling.

The Art of Philippine Textiles
Published 2022An 8-page informational mini zine about various woven textiles originating from the Philippines.