Spend any time around South Street and you will notice them. There are mosaics on building facades, down alleys, under window boxes and on rooftops. Artist Isaiah Zagar started creating them in the 1960s. In 1994, on a vacant lot near his studio, Zagar began constructing a massive three dimensional, 3000 square foot mosaic environment on several levels.

Iconography and typography at The Magic Gardens.

The Magic Gardens is now open to the public. Part self-portrait and part social commentary, the kaleidoscopic, mixed media layers of bottles, shards, glass, bicycle wheels, and original tile work form a sort of running commentary using specific iconography and typographic messages from the artist’s life and times. It is a wild, unfettered, and unusual space unlike any other.

Wall and floor detail at The Magic Gardens.

The main courtyard at The Magic Gardens.

Mixed media mosaics at The Magic Gardens.

JOIN 100,000 GARDEN LOVERSSign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips

Get plant information, gardening solutions, design inspiration and more in our weekly newsletter.

* Required Fields
We will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations.

More about the newsletter

Follow Us Garden Design Magazine Facebook Garden Design Magazine Twitter Garden Design Magazine Pinterest Garden Design Magazine Instagram Garden Design Magazine Youtube