Once upon a time, there was a garden made of pure imagination. A world proven to be the oasis of inspiration and crux of originality. Here in this domain holds the true meaning of enchanted creativity, but some could only dream of such a paradise. Luckily, by chance of artistic blessing, these fantastical dreams have been manifested into a place that extraordinarily exists outside of the mind. When the senses are marveled in awe, seeing is true believing in this physical utopia. Walk through these halls and slowly but surely, you win learn a brief history of the future and experience how lucid dreaming is fact in this world. Welcome to where fantasy and reality collide in the Magic Gardens of Philadelphia.
Alright, well that is enough of the fairy-tale language but there really is no other way to introduce one of the city’s most distinct icons. Located on South St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Magic Gardens have attracted abstract art enthusiasts and curious by-passers since its public opening in 2008. The garden was conceived when award-winning mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar had a vision. Since the 1960’s, this vision was to create a positive and friendly environment through his art by animating the beaten area with vibrant color in and around his new home on South Street. In 1994, Zagar’s plan began to grow and transform when he began to convert vacant lots into the works of art we can still see today. Unfortunately, while the beginning stages of the garden were taking form, the early days of the Magic Garden did not turn out to be all that magical.
In 2002, while Zagar’s fan favorite art was thriving in the community, a legal battle developed over the land calling for the destruction of all his work including the gardens. Two long years had passed until the decision was made to prevent the destruction of the properties artwork. The magic was back and the art could live another day. Zagar must have been one happy man!
It is now 2016 and The Magic Gardens continue to stun all visitors with its beauty. The non-profit art center offers many opportunities for community engagement including: tours the exhibit itself, wedding ceremonies, workshops and many more activities.
Folk art such as this takes extra observation to uncover all of the hidden secrets it has to offer and that is the beauty of it. Some may see this place as a cluttered heap of garbage but as Zagar has expressed through his works, some people like the cash, some people like the hash but I love art made out of trash.
Within the walls of this fantasy, you experience a dream come to life. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens lives up to the name and creates that magical experience for all who visit.
