Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a city that has always embraced street and public art in all its shapes or forms. This made Philly one of the favorite destinations for artists from around the world while also helping the rise of the local art scene and hometown artists.
One of the most prominent artists that spent most of his life creating on the streets of Philadelphia is mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar. Throughout his life, Zagar created more than 200 mosaic murals across the city, with most of them surviving the test of time and still being there for art lovers to enjoy. If you are visiting Philly, checking some of Zagar mosaics is a must. Here is where to find them.
Magic Gardens
Located on South Street, Magic Gardens is a continuous art project that dates back to the 1990s. It all started when Zagar cleaned up two vacant lots near his house and started working on his mosaic pieces there. With the help of public and private donations, the artist eventually bought the lots and turned them into what is now known as Magic Gardens.
Carlos Carpet Building
This is one of Zagar’s more impressive works, as the mosaic covers the whole building. The building, which houses a carpet and flooring business, can be found on Bainbridge Street.
Schell Street Walls
Tucked in a little alleyway, the Schell Street Walls mosaic has been there since 1996. It is located on South Schell Street and in the proximity of various other Zagar art installations.
Painted Bride Art Center
Painted Bride Art Center, located on Vine Street, has one of the most famous Zagar mosaics. The artwork, called Skin of the Bride, covers the entire front of the building. Zagar worked on it for almost a decade and ended up donating it to the center.