A wholly original and beautiful little spot with an incredible story behind it. Really cool to see…read morehow one man's vision endured against long odds and now has left a great space for other artists to share their work too. The gift shop also has great, unique stuff. Worth making a little trip here and strolling the neighborhood to see the vendors and Isaiah's other work nearby. Pro tip: Get your ticket in the gift shop and don't worry about timed entry!

We must be the only tourists who decided not to pay the $15 per person admission fee. We did have…read moreit on our list of places to see while in Philly, and especially after seeing the artist on an episode of "Somebody Feed Phil." We even walked over to it from the Italian Market. We saw many of his murals along the way. He beautified the neighborhood along South Street. We just didn't feel like we needed to pay to see more of it when there is a "Mosaic Mural Map" that allows everyone to see his public installations for free. To be honest, the line of people waiting to get in was already a deterrent. It's a lot of people crammed into a small space. We made the right decision for us. Now, if you're a huge fan of his work then by all means purchase that ticket. You'll regret it otherwise. There's a reason why it's so popular. Isaiah Zagar has inspired a whole new generation of artists in the city. You'll see their art everywhere. There's even a cool city art project called "Mural Arts Philadelphia" that was created to prevent vandalism. The murals seen all over the city are very creative & impressive. Very much like the art you'll see at Magic Gardens. You'll eventually run into Zagar's mosaic murals at some point during your stay. You'll just have to decide for yourself whether it's worth it for you to see more.

Nice gallery featuring contemporary and modern works from some relatively well known artists. They…read moregallery has a smaller main gallery downstairs and a larger gallery upstairs. Exhibits generally change on a monthly basis so stop back often, as some are really interesting, such as the video installations of Nadia Hironaka and Matthew Suib they had on display last year. It's free and located on the southeast corner of Washington Square Park.

I stopped in here with a friend and was pleasantly surprised by the interior of this gallery. There…read morewere only a handful of pieces on display and they were all very impressive (and expensive!). They have a second floor, too, that they use for larger exhibits, so I hope to get up there at some point. it's free!

Somehow, although I've been to Philly several times, I never noticed this place. This is properly…read morelabeled a workshop, not a museum. My oversight but let's make sure it isn't yours. The first floor has a rotation exhibits, this time was a set of quilts. The artist had been in prison and created rooms showing how he looked at his environments often using scraps of fabric. The second and eighth floor had more varied textile arts. I have included pictures of some of the art. Truly interesting and worth your time. Note it's right near Reading Terminal, hours are noon to five but check before you go. Musuem is free but asks for a donation.

Honestly, I had no idea this place existed until I saw it advertised and decided to check it out…read more I'm glad I did because it ended up being one of the more unique museums I've visited in Philadelphia. It's a relatively small and intimate space. The first floor has a gift shop and an area for workshops and activities, while the galleries are spread throughout the building. When I visited, the first-floor exhibition featured quilts, while the upstairs gallery focused more on themes of American culture. Both were fantastic. The quilt exhibition was probably a traveling show, and I absolutely loved it. I know several quilting enthusiasts, so I have at least some appreciation for how much time, patience, and technical skill goes into creating these pieces. Some of them felt less like blankets and more like full-scale tapestries. The level of detail, color work, and craftsmanship was incredible. The upstairs exhibition had a much stronger political and social commentary element, which I personally enjoyed. Art doesn't have to exist solely to be beautiful or entertaining. It can challenge ideas, express opinions, document experiences, and start conversations. I appreciated that the museum embraced that side of art rather than shying away from it. One of the coolest parts was the workshop area downstairs. There was a small market set up and plenty of people actively crafting and creating things. For a moment I wanted to join in, but the space was packed. Then I watched what everyone was making and quickly realized these people were good. Very good. At that point I remembered I was in a fabric museum and workshop and that my own sewing abilities are... let's politely call them limited. The only thing that felt a little awkward was how often the museum reminded visitors about the recommended donation. I completely understand why. Free museums need support, and I have no issue contributing. It just came up enough times that I started feeling a little self-conscious about it. I was already planning to donate on my way out, but repeated reminders always make me feel slightly uncomfortable even when I understand the reason behind them. Overall, this was a wonderful surprise. Thought-provoking exhibitions, beautiful craftsmanship, active creative spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere. If you're interested in textiles, contemporary art, or just want to discover a museum that's a little different from the usual Philadelphia lineup, it's definitely worth a visit.

This art gallery comes alive every First Friday with the heart and spirit of Philadelphia…read moreshowcasing the best of Philadelphia. You will not be disappointed when you walk through these doors.

I stumbled upon this little shop, and altho' it appeared to be closed, a knock on the door brought…read moreout the owner, who opened the door for me. This store has one-of-a-kind rugs from mostly the Middle East and Caucasus region, and interesting and unusual decor items from a wider range of areas. The owner is knowledgeable and interesting to talk with.

Gallery 51 is as rare a find as its contents. The collections of unusual, antique rugs from all…read moreover the world is very impressive, as is the owner, Craig, a knowledgeable resource about his unique pieces. Gallery 51 is a must see for any aficionado or collector.

Cool space to see this year's Sundance Shorts Series. Nice staff and fair pricing for tickets. I…read morehope to come back for a show or screening soon!

This is a unique and evergreen venue that adapts to whatever artist / act / DJ / event is…read moreexhibiting within its walls. Such a gem right off the Spring Garden stop, I attended a fantastic mixed poetry reading and open mic night back in October. They have two levels and there's bathrooms at the back and a couple of different ways to set up seats. The stage itself is the perfect size for a DJ setup or smaller show. I look forward to the next time I get to go back and support this eclectic spot - an obvious haven for artists and the entire scene here in Philly. Stay up to date via their Instagram and website - in all likelihood this spot will have something eye catching programed on any given week. Get there and support this institution and Philly artists!

Awesome art lives here. Such a fun place to go and see what creative minds are doing. The art is…read moreincredible!

This is the premier art gallery in Philadelphia! The gallery owner and curator, Debbie Morton, has…read morefilled her space with exceptional pieces that span a brood range of mediums, subjects and price. The gallery is bright, inviting and interesting. Debbie is constantly on the search for artists to bring in as well as keeping her connections strong with the artists she already represents. If you are looking for a new piece of art, I would start here!!

Fortunately I just found out that this place stills exists, Because the whole street that it used…read moreto be on is currently being revamped big time. now the address is 319 North 11th Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107. it's Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday 12-6pm and they usually have a lot of good alternative arts. They have a special First Friday viewing that's open to the public from 6-11 PM. Although Vox has been in three different buildings, it has been a non-profit art collective that has supported emerging artists since 1988. so it's good to here that it's still going strong. The Vox on Cherry street had an occasional concert. so maybe this one will too, but it's too soon to tell.

Always fun to see what's going on at Vox... the exhibits range from powerful to silly, thoughtful…read moreto bizarre. You can spend between an hour or more depending on how much you delve into the work. Don't forget that the 2nd floor also has galleries as well. An interesting date spot too.

Seraphin Gallery is conveniently located in Center City. It always seems to have good shows and…read morethere are of a variety - I never know what will be there next! Anyone interested in art, contemporary or 20th century, should visit Seraphin.

Very nice gallery space and lots of great art. However, the man that runs the gallery is rude-only…read morespeaks to certain people and ignores others. He's ignored a couple serious potential buyers.

I always find it a pleasure to stop in the Moore College of Art Shop. In addition to t-shirts,…read moresweat tops, & mugs emblazoned with the schools name on it, there are also myriad works on sale from the former alumni. Yes, most are on the crafty side - jewelry, stuffed toys, scarves, face masks, magnets, & greeting cards. But there is also a rack of clothing (mainly tops), prints, graphic novels & 'zine-like books, and some paintings too. Much of the items seem reasonably priced. If you're looking for craftsy gifts, I'd reccomend stopping in here to make a purchase & help an artist out. (I can't say if any of the artists on display here still reside in Philly). Neighbors in the area might want to keep this unassuming shop in mind when shopping for presents, especially for the women in your life. Perusing these pieces make me wish that I'd gone to Moore as an art student.

I like this little space a lot! Makes me wish Tyler had something like this! Only down side is I…read morefeel a lot of the works here are a bit crafty. I still really enjoy them, but I would like to see more photos and paintings. Not so many trinket items.