As we journeyed out of Philadelphia to return to MFS, we were all struck by the unique types of art and creativity we had witnessed. We were left with a sense of inspiration and ready to start our own journeys into the world of Folk Art.
On Friday, March 21, our group took our field trip to Philly to visit the Magic Gardens and the Fabric Workshop and Museum. Our goal was to be inspired by the city and its variety of art. As we walked to our first destination, we stumbled on to an interactive mural titled The Atlas of Tomorrow. This project had an irresistible pull to it, causing us to stop and examine the work. Inspired by the I-Ching, this work invited you to spin a wheel which pointed to a short story meant to inspire you and focus your energy.
As we continued to our destination, we came into the neighborhood where the Magic Gardens were located. As we discovered, the art work we would find inside the actual location spilled out all around the neighborhood, brightening South Philly and creating a unique location.
Once inside the actual Magic Gardens we were struck by the variety of art created using found objects to create beautiful mosaics and murals. We learned about Isaiah Zagar, the artist behind the mosaics, whose mission was to bring light and joy to Philly, the place he called home. As we walked down the streets, we saw the juxtaposition of the colorful mosaics and the stark, sometimes rundown, buildings of downtown Philadelphia.
For lunch we took a break at the Reading Terminal Market. We explored one of Philadelphia’s most unique locations, where we encountered a variety of people, sights and delicious smells. We enjoyed the opportunity to find our own adventures in this location (and eat some delicious food!).
The final spot on our journey was the Fabric Workshop and Museum, where we saw many interesting examples of textile art created using a variety of techniques. The temporary exhibition Soft Cover combined both modern and historical (well, back to the 1970s) works to highlight the diversity of approaches to using fabrics to create beautiful works of art.
As we journeyed out of Philadelphia to return to MFS, we were all struck by the unique types of art and creativity we had witnessed. We were left with a sense of inspiration and ready to start our own journeys into the world of Folk Art.