News
Germantown Academy to collaborate with Magic Garden Artist Isaiah Zagar
Posted October 2, 2012
Germantown Academy is proud to announce a year-long collaboration with world-renowned Philadelphia-based artist Isaiah Zagar on a mosaic mural.
Mr. Zagar is the creator of the iconic “Magic Garden” located on South Street in Philadelphia. His other work can be found on over 100 public walls throughout Philadelphia and around the world. He will collaborate with GA as an artist-in-residence to create an all-school and community art project. The artwork will culminate in the creation of a large mosaic mural done cooperatively with GA’s students and community on the wall outside of the Common Room. When it is complete, GA will have created a collaborative, permanent installation with one of the preeminent mosaic artists living today!
"When Ms. Ritz said that Isaiah Zagar was coming I was like, ‘You're kidding - no he's not. That's awesome,’” said senior Jacqueline Lawlor ’13. “I think it's incredible. I think we're really lucky to have something like this."
Mr. Zagar visited GA on Thursday and spoke with all three divisions following a reception and a tour of the Academy’s campus, which included The Preserve. He will return just after Winter Break to begin sketching. In the meantime, GA intends to involve as many students, faculty and staff members, families and alumni to help with preparing the tiles that will be installed by early spring.
Barness Chair for Fine and Performing Arts/Lower School Visual Arts Coordinator Jess Grisafi and Upper School Visual Arts Teacher Sara Ritz wrote, “This is a huge undertaking and we will need help from the entire community to see it through. One opportunity for you to participate will be on GA-PC Day, Saturday, November 10. We will be hosting a tile-making workshop from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Middle School Clay Room.”
On Saturday, April 6, 2013, GA plans to host a Community Day where students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff can meet Mr. Zagar and participate in the completion of the mural.
"I think it's pretty exciting that we get this opportunity to see how these big murals in Philadelphia happen,” said junior Colin Gavigan ’14. “It's great experience.”
CLICK HERE to see photos from Mr. Zagar's tour of GA's campus.
CLICK HERE to see photos from Mr. Zagar's visit to GA's Lower School.
CLICK HERE to view photos from the Mosaic Madness activity on GA-PC Day.
