Group/School Tours
PMG Site Tours
$8 for adult groups, $5 per person for K-12 student groups, $3 pre-K groups
Get an insiders' view of the Magic Gardens! These guided
interpretive tours take visitors through the Magic Gardens main site and
nearby mosaicked properties. Topics include Zagar's mosaic techniques
and influences, the materials used in the mosaics (with a particular
focus on tiles and global folk art), the narratives behind his
iconography and images, and the history of South Street and
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Tours last approximately one hour and
guides can tailor the discussion to the interests of the group.
Please call 215-733-0390 to make a reservation for a Site Tour or email khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org. Minimum of seven participants per private tour. Reservations should be made at least one week in advance, some last-minute reservations may be accommodated. Deposit required for groups of 50 or more, maximum group size is 90 people per visit.
Take an hour and a half walk into the alleyways along South Street and Bainbridge to view Isaiah Zagar's glittering creations! Led by a trained Philadelphia's Magic Gardens interpreter, you'll learn detailed information about Zagar's technique along with the personal and community stories depicted in his large, shimmering murals. Walking tour price includes admission to PMG.
Please call 215-733-0390 to make a reservation for a Neighborhood Walking Tour or email khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org. PMG requires a minimum of seven participants for private tours. Reservations should be made at least one week in advance. Some last-minute reservations may be accommodated.
Meet the artist who has created over 125+ public mosaics in Philadelphia! Isaiah Zagar will talk with visitors about his work, technique, and process. Speaking about his own stories, Zagar will give visitors a chance to experience his mosaics through his own perspective. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and discuss their own ideas about the artworks. The Q & A Discussion Session is an excellent conclusion to a guided tour of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.
In addition to a tour of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, visitors of all ages can schedule a simple hands-on activity for smaller groups. Projects include a hand made tile activity or a scavenger hunt book project that takes students on a quest throughout the Gardens. A deposit is required for all tours that incorporate a hands-on activity. Please inquire about these art options with Kay Healy at 215.733.0390 or by email to khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org.
Free hands-on activities are offered during special events at the Garden including our Family Jams program; visit News and Events to find out details about upcoming events.
This program has been generously supported by the Douty Foundation.
Customize your tour
Topics that can be explored through Philadelphia's Magic Gardens educational programming include:
Recycling and Reuse of Materials — Artists, designers, and scientists have embraced recycled materials to build "green" spaces and create new objects from old ones
Philadelphia History and Civic Engagement — Many changes occurred on South Street and in the surrounding neighborhood throughout the years, including the story of the "South Street Renaissance"
Visionary Environments — Zagar makes many references to visionary environments and artists from around the world including Clarence Schmidt, Helen Martins, Edward James, Ferdinand Cheval, and Simon Rodia
Folk and Multi-Cultural Art — Traditional sculptures and tiles from artists in Mexico, India, Bali, Peru, and around the world are embedded throughout the walls of PMG
Found Object Art — Like Zagar, artists Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Marcel Duchamp, and others have found beauty in discarded objects, repurposing them to create powerful works of art
Art Historical Influences — A wide variety of artists such as Henri Matisse, Jean Dubuffet, Curt Schwitters, and Pablo Picasso have influenced Zagar in his artistic pursuits
Self-Representation and Identity — Portraits of the artist, images of men and women, molds of human faces, hidden mosaic facial imagery, and the viewer's own mirror reflection are present throughout the mosaic labyrinth
TacTile tours lead visitors that are blind or partially sighted through the Magic Garden's main site allowing them to touch and explore the fully mosaicked gallery walls and labyrinth sculpture garden with trained PMG interpreters. Tour topics include Isaiah Zagar's mosaic techniques and artistic influences, the materials used in the mosaics, the narratives behind his iconography and images, and the history of South Street and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Guests who are blind, partially sighted, and sighted companions are welcomed to experience sculptures and tiles from around the world through this fun and informative new program. Tours are scheduled every third Sunday of the month, last approximately an hour and are capped at six people per tour. Please contact PMG to reserve your tour by calling 215-733-0390 or by email to khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org. While most of PMG is accessible, some areas can only be accessed by stairs.
Please call 215-733-0390 to make a reservation for a Site Tour or email khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org. Minimum of seven participants per private tour. Reservations should be made at least one week in advance, some last-minute reservations may be accommodated. Deposit required for groups of 50 or more, maximum group size is 90 people per visit.
Neighborhood Walking Tours
$10 for adults, $6 for studentsTake an hour and a half walk into the alleyways along South Street and Bainbridge to view Isaiah Zagar's glittering creations! Led by a trained Philadelphia's Magic Gardens interpreter, you'll learn detailed information about Zagar's technique along with the personal and community stories depicted in his large, shimmering murals. Walking tour price includes admission to PMG.
Please call 215-733-0390 to make a reservation for a Neighborhood Walking Tour or email khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org. PMG requires a minimum of seven participants for private tours. Reservations should be made at least one week in advance. Some last-minute reservations may be accommodated.
Isaiah Question-and-Answer Discussion Sessions
$50 for a 20-30 minute discussion and Q&A with Isaiah ZagarMeet the artist who has created over 125+ public mosaics in Philadelphia! Isaiah Zagar will talk with visitors about his work, technique, and process. Speaking about his own stories, Zagar will give visitors a chance to experience his mosaics through his own perspective. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and discuss their own ideas about the artworks. The Q & A Discussion Session is an excellent conclusion to a guided tour of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.
Hands-On Activities
$3 per participantIn addition to a tour of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, visitors of all ages can schedule a simple hands-on activity for smaller groups. Projects include a hand made tile activity or a scavenger hunt book project that takes students on a quest throughout the Gardens. A deposit is required for all tours that incorporate a hands-on activity. Please inquire about these art options with Kay Healy at 215.733.0390 or by email to khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org.
Free hands-on activities are offered during special events at the Garden including our Family Jams program; visit News and Events to find out details about upcoming events.
Visionary Visits Free Tours
Visionary Visits provides free guided Site Tours of PMG with hands-on projects for at-risk and economically-disadvantaged youth and underserved audiences, spanning July 2011 through June 2012. We have a limited number of Visionary Visit tours available. Please fill out this application form to apply and email Education and Outreach Manager, Kay Healy, with any questions. A Word version of this application is available here.This program has been generously supported by the Douty Foundation.
Customize your tour
Topics that can be explored through Philadelphia's Magic Gardens educational programming include:Recycling and Reuse of Materials — Artists, designers, and scientists have embraced recycled materials to build "green" spaces and create new objects from old ones
Philadelphia History and Civic Engagement — Many changes occurred on South Street and in the surrounding neighborhood throughout the years, including the story of the "South Street Renaissance"
Visionary Environments — Zagar makes many references to visionary environments and artists from around the world including Clarence Schmidt, Helen Martins, Edward James, Ferdinand Cheval, and Simon Rodia
Folk and Multi-Cultural Art — Traditional sculptures and tiles from artists in Mexico, India, Bali, Peru, and around the world are embedded throughout the walls of PMG
Found Object Art — Like Zagar, artists Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Marcel Duchamp, and others have found beauty in discarded objects, repurposing them to create powerful works of art
Art Historical Influences — A wide variety of artists such as Henri Matisse, Jean Dubuffet, Curt Schwitters, and Pablo Picasso have influenced Zagar in his artistic pursuits
Self-Representation and Identity — Portraits of the artist, images of men and women, molds of human faces, hidden mosaic facial imagery, and the viewer's own mirror reflection are present throughout the mosaic labyrinth
TacTile Tours
$8 for adults, $5 kidsTacTile tours lead visitors that are blind or partially sighted through the Magic Garden's main site allowing them to touch and explore the fully mosaicked gallery walls and labyrinth sculpture garden with trained PMG interpreters. Tour topics include Isaiah Zagar's mosaic techniques and artistic influences, the materials used in the mosaics, the narratives behind his iconography and images, and the history of South Street and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Guests who are blind, partially sighted, and sighted companions are welcomed to experience sculptures and tiles from around the world through this fun and informative new program. Tours are scheduled every third Sunday of the month, last approximately an hour and are capped at six people per tour. Please contact PMG to reserve your tour by calling 215-733-0390 or by email to khealy@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org. While most of PMG is accessible, some areas can only be accessed by stairs.
New Virtual Tour
Check out our YouTube Walk Through the Gardens.| Educational programming at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is generously supported by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. |
