“Art is the center of the real world”
~Isaiah Zagar

While Brandon coached his youth hockey team to a championship (Go B!). I spent the majority of my weekend, exploring the  art filled city of Philadelphia, with my lovely cousin April and her awesome boyfriend Steve. They hosted us, feed us and most importantly took me on an adventure to the Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

PMG is a mosaic art gallery which is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, it consists of a fully titled indoor area, and a HUGE multilevel outdoor installation which can be explored, photographed and touched (something that a tactile person like myself really enjoyed).  From floor to ceiling, one can see bicycle wheels, colorful glass bottles, hand-made painted tiles, and- what feels like- millions of glittering mirrors, which makes the whole place shine.

The creator of this wonderland is a local artist named Isaiah Zagar, who has dedicated his life to making these mosaics. He has made over 100 around Philadelphia and has lived and traveled all over the world. The Magic Garden is his baby, it took him 14 years to create and now is a permanent fixture off of South Street.

The magic gardens are well–magical, they whole exhibit is an autobiography to Isaiah’s life, marriage, children and dreams. Getting to discover the story in all it’s little tiny parts, was part of it’s perfection.  Okay, I may seem super in love with PMG, but that’s because I was. Maybe it was a unseasonably amazing weather, which made the mirrors gleam and added sun spots to most of my photos, but I cannot remember a place that inspired me more, I probably could have spent all day just enjoying the sun surrounded by art.

Thanks April and Steve for taking me to such a beautiful place. These pictures do not do it justice, this is a MUST SEE for anyone coming to visit the city!

Philadelphia’a Magic Gardens are located at 1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, between 10th and 11th Streets. They are open everyday, year round (minus major holidays), and from 11am-5pm (although the hours are extended depending on time of year  and day of the week)

Due to its non-profit nature it does charge a small entrance fee. $7 for adults, $5 for Students & Seniors, $3 for ages 6-12, FREE for children 5 and under, but I promise it is 100% worth every penny. 

Check it out on PhillyMagicGardens.org

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Tagged as: Art, Magic Gardens, Mosaic, Philadelphia, travel