For Families
Family Jams
Family Jams are PMG's one-of-a-kind, family-oriented programs, featured every second Sunday of the month between NOON and 4:00 PM. Drop in with the whole gang for a variety of hands-on workshops and free kid-friendly tours at 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM.
Past Family Jams have included book arts projects, poetry workshops, paper mosaics, and tile pin-making. All Family Jams workshops and activities are FREE with admission. Family memberships are available for free admission and ongoing discounts.
See below for a list of upcoming projects.
Visionary Visits for Families
Families can now participate in the Visionary Visits program, which provides free family-friendly tours and hands-on projects for economically-disadvantaged and underserved audiences during Family Jams, held the second Sunday of every month (dates below). The program educates families about Isaiah Zagar's numerous public murals, artistic inspirations, and his important role in South Street and Philadelphia history. Families also create their own piece of art to take home with them.
Assistance with public transportation is also available. Translators, social workers, and other similar assistants may attend as part of a family group.
Contact Education and Outreach Manager Olivia Edlund at oedlund@phillymagicgardens.org or 215.733.0390 for information, or complete this application form. Applications must be received at least one week in advance of your requested date.
This program has been generously supported by the Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation and PPA Project Stream, a funding opportunity of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA), a regionalized funding program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.Upcoming Family Jams
- June 9 - You-tensils
Make whimsical self-portraits - July 14 - Animalitos
Create colorful stuffed animal creations - August 11
UP NEXT:
June Family Jam: You-tensils
Sunday, June 9, Noon - 4:00 PMPMG founding artist Isaiah Zagar has created thousands of self portraits throughout his career and is also known for the use of recycled materials in his work. This month join us to create your own self portrait sculpture from silverware to show everything that is uniquely you!
PREVIOUS PROJECTS:
May Family Jam: Mommy Masks
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In honor of Mother’s Day join us to make Julia Zagar-inspired "Mommy Masks!” Julia, founding artist Isaiah Zagar's wife of 50 years, is the inspiration for thousands of beautiful portraits throughout Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.The whole family can decorate and customize their own paper masks and learn more about Julia and the Zagar family on our family-friendly tours at 1:00 and 3:00 PM.
April Family Jam: Recycled Glassworks
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PMG creator Isaiah Zagar does his part for the planet by including recycled materials in his artwork. Hundreds of multi-colored bottles, broken dishes, and bicycle wheels make up the outdoor labyrinth and tunnels of the Magic Gardens. Celebrate Earth Day with us by using recycled bottles and jars to make your own creation with colorful paper, sequins and more.
March Family Jam: Telltale Tiles
Sunday, March 10, Noon - 4:00 PM
Tell your own tale at the next Family Jam! Founding artist Isaiah Zagar has created thousands of original tiles with words and pictures. These tiles are mosaicked into every nook and cranny of PMG and combine to tell the story of his life and the things he loves. On March 10, decorate a ceramic tile to take home that tells one of your own stories.
February Family Jam: Los Rumbos de Vidas Aztec Stamping Activity, Part of the Free Library's One Book One Philadelphia program
Sunday, February 10, Noon - 4:00 PM
In the ancient Aztec culture of Mexico people believed the world was made up of five Rumbos, or regions: North, South, East, West, and Above-Below. Join PMG and artist Nora Hiriart Litz of Puentes de Salud in a hands-on stamping activity featuring stamps based on traditional Aztec symbols related to the Rumbos. Children can stamp t-shirts to take home with them or create eye-catching patterns on paper.
Learn about the culture associated with this art and how it relates to the Mexican folk art throughout PMG. Then view the current exhibition, El Viaje de los Ninos, featuring work by children about their journeys from Mexico to the United States. Spanish language interpreter offered for family-friendly tours.
January Family Jam: Popotillo Straw Painting
Sunday, January 13, Noon - 4:00 PMPopotillo is the traditional Mexican art of creating intricate images out of dyed straw pieces. PMG's creator, Isaiah Zagar, has been commissioning Mexico City's Luz Maria Salinas to make straw paintings based on his drawings for more than 15 years. Zagar estimates that she has made 300+ popotillo paintings for him!
Celebrate this amazing art and create your own popotillo painting based on the drawings of Isaiah Zagar!
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Family Jam: God's Eyes and Piñata Party
Sunday, December 9, Noon - 4:00 PMJoin us in December for two traditional crafts that relate to the Mexican folk art included throughout PMG. Make your own piñata filled with yummy treats in preparation for the holidays. In Mexico, piñatas are used during Las Posadas, a celebration leading up to Christmas. We'll also be making traditional Mexican God's Eyes from colorful yarn. The Huichol people of western Mexico would create a central "eye" when a child was born and add another eye each year, until the child turned five.
