Mosaic Artist Isaiah Zagar, Creator of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Dies at 86
Isaiah Zagar, a prominent mosaic artist and the visionary behind Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, has passed away at the age of 86. He died on Thursday due to complications from congestive heart failure and Parkinson’s disease. Zagar created more than 200 mixed-media artworks on public walls, significantly contributing to the revitalization of South Street in Philadelphia.
Artistic Legacy and Contributions
Known for his vibrant mosaics adorned with mirrors and hand-painted tiles, Zagar left an indelible mark on the city. His work comprises over 50,000 square feet of public art in Philadelphia, with the Magic Gardens serving as his largest and most famous piece.
- Opened Eye’s Gallery in 1968 with his wife Julia.
- Developed art environments using unconventional materials.
- Magic Gardens and a studio opened to the public in 2024.
Life and Inspiration
Zagar was born in Philadelphia in 1939 but raised in Brooklyn. After graduating from Pratt Institute, he married fellow art student Julia Papiroff in 1963. The couple served in the Peace Corps in Peru, where they connected with local folk artists.
Struggling with mental health issues, Zagar turned to mosaics as a therapeutic outlet. He began his artistic journey by using broken bottles and salvaged materials to create mosaics on the walls of Eye’s Gallery and the couple’s home on South Street.
Revitalizing South Street
During the 1970s, Zagar was instrumental in the South Street Renaissance, a movement that sought to revitalize a declining commercial area. His mosaics and the Eye’s Gallery played crucial roles in this transformation, drawing visitors and new businesses to the locale.
Magic Gardens Development
Beginning in the 1990s, Zagar worked on the Magic Gardens, inspired by an art environment he had encountered in Woodstock. This ambitious project evolved into a complex of tunnels, walls, and vibrant mosaics that extended beyond his property, prompting the creation of a nonprofit organization in 2004 to preserve his work.
Impact Beyond Philadelphia
Although most of Zagar’s work is in Philadelphia, he also created mosaics across the United States and internationally in locations such as California, New York, and Hawaii.
Documentary and Family
Much of Zagar’s life and artistic journey are chronicled in the 2008 documentary “In A Dream,” directed by his son Jeremiah. Zagar is survived by his wife Julia and their sons Zeke and Jeremiah. Plans for a public memorial are forthcoming.
