Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Artist Isaiah Zagar's masterpiece on South Street

The Experience

Covering an indoor and outdoor space equivalent to half a city block, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens glisten with creativity, urban renaissance and a hint of madness.

Isaiah Zagar, a local artist who began tiling South Street in the 1960s and never stopped, constructed the space out of cement, bicycle spokes, bottles, ceramic shards and other artistic knick-knacks.

The tiled passages of the Magic Garden weave over- and underground — and, perhaps more than anything, through the mind of a dedicated and inspired artist.

Zagar has created more than 100 mosaics in Philadelphia, the majority of them along the South Street corridor. A walk around the neighborhood unveils not only the work of one artist, but a geographic renaissance.

The History

In the 1960s, a group of artists and entrepreneurs began renting derelict storefronts and recreating the South Street neighborhood. Isaiah Zagar was at the forefront of that movement.

In its early years, the Magic Gardens faced an uncertain future. Zagar began building the labyrinthine sculpture on land he didn't own and, in 2004, the absentee landlord put it up for sale.

After a public outcry that resulted in an outpouring of community support and donations, the nonprofit organization Philadelphia's Magic Gardens was formed to purchase and maintain the grounds. And Philadelphia is all the better for it.

Today, the Magic Garden complex is the gateway to both a moment in Philadelphia's history — the South Street Renaissance — and the work of a unique artist whose odyssey continues to be living, working and playing on Philadelphia's South Street.

Location
1022-1024 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Eyes Gallery Façade and Interiors - 402 South Street (1968)
Isaiah's Grotto; entire building inside and out plus yard sculpture - 610 South 10th Street Rear: 609 S Alder St. (1976-2004)
Home of Isaiah and Julia Zagar- 826 South St. (1984)
Alder Street Walls - 600 block S. Alder Street. (1991)
Painted Bride Art Center Façade - 230 Vine Street (1991-2000)
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens- 1020 South Street (1994)
Queen Village Southwark Garden 20th Anniversary Wall - 300 block Christian Street (1995)
Zagar's Studio (A.I.T.C.O.T.R.W.) -1003 Kater St. (1995)
Schell Street Wall (including Rose's) 600 block Schell St. (1996)
Agoos & Lovera Architects Wall -731 S. Broad St. (1996)
4th Street Façade- 608 S 4th Street (1996)
Robin's Bookstore 108 S. 13th Street. (1999)
Circle It- Essene- 719 S. 4th St. (1998)
Ezekiel's Dream- Church of the Crucifixon - 620 S 8th St (1998)
PhilaDeli Memorial Walls - 600 Block S. Leithgow St. (west side) (1999)
Carlos Carpets - 515 Bainbridge St. (2000)
Homage to Mike Matteo, Master Plumber - 510 Bainbridge St. (2000)
Julia's Birthday Card February 8, 628 Clifton Street. (2000)
Big Women - Bodine St. Community Garden - 914 S. Bodine St. (2000)
Yoel/Dylan - 719 Bainbridge St. (2001)
Ben Dorfman Building- 324 Kater St. (2001)
Back Wall T.L.A. Performance Center - 300 Block Kater St. (north side) (2001)
House of the Two Writers- 724 Mildred Street (2002)
Hip Hop Café - 705 E. Passyunk Ave (2002)
Thunderbolt Jackson - 10th St. and Dickinson St. (2002)
West Coast Optical - 1726 Chestnut St. - add arrow (2002)
Dreamer - 603 S 8th St. (2002)
Pemberton Walls- 800 Block Pemberton St. (2003)
Celebrate Philadelphia Dance - Bob and Barbara's - 1509 South St. (2004)
Philadelphia Dance- Lombard St. and Jessup St. (2004)
Snyderman Gallery Bathroom - 303 Cherry Street (2004)
Anthony's Eyes - 1035 Bainbridge St. (2004)
South Street Laundromat Patio - 828 South St. (2000-2004)
Sartain & Fitzwater (2003)
Randolph St. Driveway - 500 Block S Randolph St. (2003)
WSWCA South Street Community Garden - 839 South St. (2004)
Clifton Street, between Bainbridge & Fitzwater (2005)
Shaman Story - Clifton St. Walls - 600 and 700 Block S. Clifton St. (2005)
Gloriously Free Mason - 1132 South Street. (2005)
Eye's Test - Auntie Anne's - 411 South St. 500 Block S. Leithgow St. (2005)
All Wars Ended - 4th St. and Gaskill St. (north west corner) (2005)
Philadelphia Dance - City Shoes- 600 Block S. Leithgow (2005)
Wheel Art - De Vecchis Gallery - 404 ½ South St. (rear parking area) (2005)
Broad and South St. Community Arts Garden - NE corner Broad St. and South Street. (2005)
Warnock St. & Christian (2005)
8th & Montrose (2005)
His Bowler - South Street Hats- 810 South St. (2006)
This is the day, Jesus Journey - 1032 South Street (2006)
Sartain & Catherine (2007)
Jessup Street, between Catherine & Fitzwater (2007)
Hall Street between 10th & 11th (2007)
Mildred Street Wall - 713- 15 S. Mildred Street (2008)
Ladies of Love, 1009 S. 8th St.
C. Royce Ettinger Print Studio Façade - 144 Vine St.
Clay Studio Entranceway and Stairway - 139 N. 2ND St.

Website
Philadelphia Magic Gardens