One Man Spent Years Creating This Glittering Mosaic Labyrinth in Downtown Philly

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is basically a giant art space covered in mosaics that takes up half a city block on South Street. A guy named Isaiah Zagar made it with his own hands, putting together indoor galleries and this amazing outdoor sculpture garden that’s both art and a place for the community to hang out.

People who visit often talk about how the place has this creative energy with “a hint of madness.” When you walk through, you’re just surrounded by colors and patterns made from stuff most people would throw away.

How Art Saved a South Street Neighborhood

Back in 1968, Isaiah and his wife Julia moved to South Street when the city wanted to tear everything down for a highway. They started fixing up old buildings and covering them with colorful mosaics, which helped save the neighborhood from being demolished.

In 1994, Zagar began working on some empty lots by his studio. The actual owner found out about it in 2004 and threatened to sell the land. But the community stepped up, raised money, and turned the place into a nonprofit. It opened to the public in 2008.

Every Inch Covered in Found Objects

The whole place covers about 3,000 square feet. At Magic Gardens, every surface is covered – floors, walls, ceilings – with mosaics made from whatever Zagar could get his hands on: ceramic pieces, old bicycle wheels, bottles, dishes, mirrors, and folk art from around the world.

Art Making Helped Zagar Heal from Mental Crisis

Zagar didn’t just make this place to look cool. After going through a serious mental health crisis and suicide attempt in 1968, doctors diagnosed him with bipolar disorder and suggested he keep making art as part of his healing.

He came up with his own way of making mosaics (they call it the “Zagar Method”) where he just goes with his gut, placing tiles and mirrors however feels right in the moment.

Secret Messages Hide in the Walls

Take your time when you visit, because there’s more than meets the eye. What might look like random patterns at first glance actually tells stories. If you look carefully, you’ll find jokes, references to people Zagar knew, and little mysteries tucked into the walls.

On one big wall, Zagar wrote: “I Built This Sanctuary to be inhabited by my ideas and my fantasies.” That’s exactly what it is – the inside of someone’s mind turned inside out for all to see.

Hundreds of Zagar Mosaics Dot Philadelphia

The Magic Gardens is just the tip of the iceberg. While it’s Zagar’s biggest creation, he’s made hundreds of public murals and mosaic spaces all over Philly, especially around South Street.

Today, the Magic Gardens organization not only runs the main site but also works to protect and document more than 220 of his public artworks throughout Philadelphia. This one artist basically changed how the city looks.

Watkins Street Studio Shows Where the Magic Happens

In 2007, the Zagars bought an old warehouse in South Philly that became Isaiah’s studio. This 10,000 square foot former auto repair shop isn’t open daily like the main site – it’s more of a behind-the-scenes creative space.

In 2023, they gave this building to the Magic Gardens organization. Now you can take guided tours on Tuesday mornings or special dates to see where Zagar created his tiles and gathered materials. They also use the space for workshops, classes, and artist residencies.

You Can Buy Small Zagar Mosaics to Take Home

The Magic Gardens isn’t stuck in time. The indoor gallery spaces host different artists from all over, showing work that connects with what the Magic Gardens is about – whether it’s ceramics, mosaics, or outsider art.

They often have special shows, including displays of Zagar’s smaller framed mosaic pieces that you can actually buy and take home. So even if you’ve been before, there’s always something new to check out.

Learn to Make Your Own Mosaics Here

This place does more than just look pretty. The Magic Gardens runs as a nonprofit focused on community programs, art activities, exhibitions, and tours that welcome people to explore different types of art. They host all kinds of gatherings and teach people how to create their own mosaics.

A Team Works Daily to Keep Mosaics from Falling Apart

Keeping this place intact isn’t easy. A team of art experts works constantly to maintain everything, often with advice from Zagar himself. They’ve had to learn his special techniques to properly fix and preserve thousands of tiles and objects that are exposed to the elements.

Explore South Street After Your Visit

Once you’re done exploring the Magic Gardens, don’t rush off. South Street has tons of restaurants and other cool spots that make it worth spending a whole day in this part of Philly. If you get hungry, Jim’s Steaks at South & 4th Street is just a short walk away for a classic Philly cheesesteak.

You can also wander the neighborhood to find more of Zagar’s mosaics on buildings all around. The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial is another good art stop nearby if you’re still in the mood for creativity.