Philadelphia's Magic Gardens Hosts Philly Fringe Show and "Magic Beyond the Gardens" Gala

Facade of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens on South Street

By GLAMOROSI

Artistic power-couple Isaiah and Julia Zagar have been the King and Queen of Philadelphia's South Street community for over forty years. While Mrs. Zagar created a market for Mexican folk art and design in the late 60s at Eyes Gallery (402 South Street), her husband’s mosaic murals can be found throughout the region adorning businesses and private homes, and in exhibits including works in the permanent collections at The Philadelphia Museum of Art,  the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C.

Interior of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

The most central location in which to view Mr. Zagar’s epic mosaics is Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (PMG). The Zagars bought the double-wide lot that PMG inhabits in 2002 and turned the property into a non-profit showplace for Isaiah's work. There, combined in one maze-like assemblage of colorful walkways, walls, ceilings and floors, visitors can enjoy Isaiah's works made from mirror, glass and pottery with the occasional line of Dada-ist poetry. 

From there PMG became a venue where everything from art classes to live music to improvisational dance and theater performances take place. On September 6, 7, and 8, Philadelphia’s Live Arts and Fringe Festival brings its works to the Magic Gardens with The Lemurian Solution: Your Interactive Evolution, a  “five-dimensional crystal city of light beings”.

Then on Saturday, September 22, PMG will hold its fourth annual Magic Beyond the Gardens fundraiser gala during which the Zagars will honor Gerry Givnish, founder of the Painted Bride Art Center (its Race Street location was one of the most famous recipients of Isaiah’s mosaic murals). Along with that presentation, there will be Parisian Gypsy jazz from The Hot Club Philly, a sideshow performance from Outlaw Cirkus, and food and drink courtesy of Feast Your Eyes Catering, Spodee, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Dad's Hat Whiskey, and Philadelphia Brewing Company.

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
1020 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215.733.0390
www.phillymagicgardens.org

Door with illustration at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Photo credits:
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens Facade ©Gabe Kirchheimer
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens Interior ©Emily Smith
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens Door ©Glamorosi

Posted on Friday, August 24, 2012 2:46 PM