Title
Honoring artist Isaiah Zagar for his 35 year commitment to make Philadelphia a "labyrinthine mosaic museum" and his dedication to saving Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.
Body
WHEREAS, Isaiah Zagar was born at Philadelphia's Osteopathic Hospital in 1939 and received his Bachelor's of Arts from the Pratt Institute in 1959; and
WHEREAS, In 1959, Isaiah was introduced to the folk art environment of Clarence Schmidt's, My Mirrored Hope in Woodstock, New York. In 1960, at the Museum of Modern Art, he witnessed a groundbreaking exhibition that included assemblages of artists like Pablo Picasso, Jean Dubuffet, Curt Schwitters, Antonio Gaudi along side of untrained brickaleurs Clarence Schmidt, Simon Rodia and Joseph Ferdinand Cheval that gave him the rationale to include their concepts as manifestations of fine art. At a crucial time in his life, Isaiah discovered the influences that allowed him to begin his life's work and truly helped transform the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Isaiah returned to Philadelphia's South Street in 1968 when much of the Street and the surrounding area was blighted. Over the past 35 years, Isaiah's creativity and zeal has helped revitalize South Street and make it Philadelphia's 2nd most visited tourist attraction; and
WHEREAS, Adults and children, residents and visitors marvel at Isaiah's more than 73 different mosaic murals throughout the City including the Painted Bride Arts Center, the Eyes Gallery Façade and Interior, the Clay Studio's entranceway, Church of the Crucifixion, St. Maria Goretti's High School, Robin's Bookstore and the South Street Magic Garden; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program has commissioned Isaiah to create a 729 square foot mural at the intersection of Berks and 20th Streets that will transcribe the Institute for Safe Families pledge, a writ recited by men with histories of family violence. The piece wi...
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