Enjoy fine art
As a lover of fine art, it was such a pleasure to read the report by Mark Zimmaro on the partial rescue of a once-doomed mural by Philadelphia Magic Gardens (“Magic Gardens displaying Zagar mural masterpiece,” Jan. 8).
Basically, a special team of art preservationists rescued parts of a 7,000-square-foot exterior mural by artist Isaiah Zagar at the former Painted Bride Art Center on Vine Street. The recovered pieces will now be on display indoors at Philadelphia Magic Gardens at 1020 South St. from Jan. 17 to March 23. They are naming the exhibit “Lost Landscapes: The Skin of the Bride.”
Obviously a great deal of effort and expense went into preserving this unique outdoor work of art. According to Zimmaro, it took five years of appeals to obtain the right to rescue at least part of Zagar’s original mural. What a tragic waste it would have been if this masterpiece were completely lost once the Painted Bride building is demolished.
So bravo to the preservation team of Philadelphia Magic Gardens for all their time and effort to salvage at least part of an outdoor masterpiece. Let’s hope that visitors to PMG will enjoy the new exhibit and continue to support public art.
Gloria C. Endres
