Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is inviting South Philadelphians to celebrate art, culture and community with a new exhibition by a Mexican folk artist and a slate of summer programs at its iconic South Street campus.
The museum at 1020-22 South St. presents Viviendo a Través de la Muerte (“Living Through Death”), a new exhibition by Mexican multidisciplinary artist Ivette Chaires. The exhibit runs through Nov. 8 and explores identity, memory and cultural traditions through sculptures inspired by Día de los Muertos.
Chaires, the 2024 recipient of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens’ Julia Zagar Residency for Women Artists, works in cartonería, the traditional Mexican papier-mâché art form used to create sculptural figures such as calaveras, or decorative skulls. Her exhibition blends those centuries-old techniques with contemporary imagery.
The exhibition arrives as Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens continues to honor the legacy of founder Isaiah Zagar, the internationally acclaimed mosaic artist who died earlier this year at age 86. His sprawling mosaic environment on South Street remains one of South Philadelphia’s most recognizable artistic landmarks.
The nonprofit is also continuing its popular summer programming, including its monthly “Twilight in the Gardens” series, which offers after-hours access with live music and hands-on art activities. Additional family-friendly events include PECO Family Jams on Aug. 9, guided tours, scavenger hunts and monthly combination tours of both the South Street museum and the larger Magic Gardens Studio at 10th and Watkins streets, the former workspace Zagar donated to the nonprofit in 2023.
The 10,000-square-foot studio, housed in a former auto body shop, is the largest collection of Zagar’s mosaic work and is open during select guided tours and special programs. ••
