PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Painted Bride Art Center in Old City anchors Isaiah Zagar’s largest mosaic piece of art, but Philadelphians must say their goodbyes to the structure before it is demolished this fall.
Dozens turned out for a “last look tour” honoring the “once-in-a-lifetime work of art,” which was created by the now 83-year-old Philadelphia artist. The 7,000-square-foot building is fully mosaiced from the sidewalk to the roof. Emily Smith, executive director of Zagar’s Magic Gardens, said it’s in excellent condition.
“It took him nine years to make,” she said. “It’s one of the finest examples of a Zagar artwork.”
Smith and the art community have been working to save and preserve Zagar’s piece at the Painted Bride Art Center, but the five-year-long battle is over and her team lost. The building will be demolished sometime in November.
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“I am an expert in this work and I know this piece is the crystallization of Isaiah’s work. He learned how to mosaic on this building,” Smith said.
Work is being done now to remove and preserve specific pieces and tiles from the building.
“This whole building is filled with history and stories and alternative worlds and the creatives of Philly who paved the way,” she added.
There are plans to redevelop the site into apartments, but a timeline for construction is unclear.
The Painted Bride previously put the building up for sale and moved its facility to West Philadelphia.