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'Garden' artist sets fund-raiser to help pay off loans
The Magic Garden is virtually complete - but for the real estate.
Mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, 69, who transformed a vacant lot into a fantasy of glass, broken mirror, tile and castoffs, is still paying off his loans on the $300,000 double lot in the 1000 block of South Street.
To defray costs, Zagar is mounting a fund-raising dinner, dance and silent auction on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at the garden, 1020 South St. For sale will be work from throughout his long career. "It's very exciting for me," he said. "I'm looking at work done over the last 40 or 50 years."
Zagar, whose work can be seen on buildings throught the city, began creating the garden in the early '90s on unused lots behind his studio. When the owner decided to sell the lots in 2004 and ordered Zagar out, he instead launched a campaign to acquire them himself, through donations and a loan.
He purchased the property in 2006, completing the multilayered garden this year.
For information, call 215-733-0390 or visit www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org/feast.php.
Contact culture writer Stephan Salisbury at 215-854-5594 or ssalisbury@phillynews.com
Contact culture writer Stephan Salisbury at 215-854-5594 or ssalisbury@phillynews.com
