The Watkins Street Studio

1002 Watkins Street, Philadelphia
Guided Tours: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and other select dates
Open for programs only; not open for daily admission

The interior of the Watkins Street Studio. It is a large room with high ceilings. The floor and walls are covered in tiled mosaics. In the center of the room are short walls created from objects such as bottles and plates. Chandeliers also created from found objects hang from the ceiling.

In 2007, Isaiah and Julia Zagar purchased a 2-story warehouse. The space was intended to house Isaiah’s archive of artworks and serve as a new space to mosaic. His work now covers both floors of the 10,000 square foot former auto repair shop, including the large elevator meant to hoist cars. On the ground floor Isaiah created walls out of Folk Art, handmade tiles, plates, bottles, and more. Upstairs he stored much of his artwork and supplies. The building is lit by 14 found object chandeliers by artist Warren Muller, a close friend of the Zagars.

The space became Isaiah’s studio in 2015. The Zagars gifted it to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens in December 2023. The building will continue its legacy as a creative space through hands-on workshops, classes, and other community programming.

Please read our Rules and Policies before visiting!

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