November 2008
Take a Trip to Mexico with Julia Zagar!!!

Julia's Art and Soul Trip in Mexico, from January 28th to February 8th, 2009

Join Julia, the owner of Eye's Gallery and wife of Isaiah Zagar, on a special visual arts tour through Mexico City, Guanajuato and Patzcuaro. Visit prominent Mexican artists and the homes of talented craftspeople. Also on the agenda are trips to archeological sites and many delicious meals!

This is an all inclusive 10-day trip: meals and lodging will be provided. Call Julia for an itinerary and more information at 215-833-5950, or call the Eye's Gallery at 215-925-0193.

Dear Friends,

Many exciting events have come to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens this fall, and we're happy to share them with you this Thanksgiving week. On November 1st, we hosted A Moveable Feast in the Magic Gardens to celebrate Isaiah Zagar's achievements and to showcase all that the Magic Gardens has to offer. A Moveable Feast was a great success, with three dance groups and a plethora of musicians to entertain the crowd, and special Day of the Dead themed fare. Here are some of the highlights:

  • A terrific silent auction including a retrospective exhibit of Isaiah Zagar's artwork from the 1960s until today. Paintings inspired by Peru, photography of his work on Philadelphia projects such as the Painted Bride Art Center, and a towering 20' mosaic called Pastoral were displayed.
  • The Aztec dance group, Fuego Nuevo, which stunned the crowd with its colorful feather headdresses, mystifying incense, and enthralling performance.
  • Continuous tabla and sitar ragas led by the renowned Lenny Seidman.
  • Additional dance performances by Scrap Performance Group, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, and Sheila Zagar.
  • An open air dance party to remember in the unique environment of the Magic Gardens.
The event raised over $15,000 to support our programs and activities, including tours and workshops for students, dance and music performances, and the preservation of Isaiah's artwork around the city of Philadelphia. If you were in attendance, thank you for being a part of that event and all that we do here at the Magic Gardens!


Aztec dance group Fuego Nuevo

Lenny Seidman and Craig Ebner on tabla and sitar

Kung-Yan/Lin Dancers and didgeridoo player Mark D.

Just one week later, the Zagars traveled to Arizona to install three mosaics in the new Phoenix Convention Center. Isaiah was one of twelve artists chosen for the Phoenix Convention Center Expansion Public Art Program.

His largest mosaic is prominently displayed at one of the building's entrances, and occupies over 300 square feet. Over two years in the making, this project will reach its completion with the December 27th Grand Opening of the Convention Center.

Complimenting the natural landscape of Arizona, Isaiah's mosaic depicts desert animals, cacti, and petroglyph-inspired images.

For scheduling, questions or comments contact: info@philadelphiasmagicgardens.org (215) 733-0390

www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org