At the heart of Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, every spinning, clanking, and twirling piece tells a story. Some have traveled just a few miles, others across the country—but each carries the spirit of folk art and the hands that shaped it. This April, four whirligigs with a unique history will take center stage one last time in Wilson before returning to their longtime home at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.
In the 1990s, Isaiah Zagar, the celebrated mosaic artist behind Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, made a special trip to Lucama, North Carolina, to visit Vollis Simpson in his workshop. Known for his dazzling, immersive mosaics that transform ordinary walls into extraordinary landscapes of color and texture, Zagar was drawn to Vollis’ kinetic, wind-powered creations. Both artists shared a deep appreciation for the power of repurposed materials to tell a story. That visit led Zagar to purchase four of Vollis’ smaller whirligigs, which became an integral part of his ever-evolving artistic space in Philadelphia.
Decades later, these four whirligigs—weathered by time but still full of life—underwent a careful restoration. Our conservationists recently completed extensive work to bring them back to their former glory, ensuring that their colors shine and their movement remains smooth. The team included Joe, who meticulously restored the paint, while Mel and Sam focused on design elements to preserve Vollis’ original vision.
Before these iconic whirligigs journey back to Philadelphia, they will be on display at the Spring Conservation & Thank You Pop-Up on April 9 at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. This event offers a rare opportunity to see these pieces up close, learn about the conservation efforts that revitalized them, and celebrate the connections between folk artists and the communities that cherish their work.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is renowned for its glittering mosaics and labyrinthine outdoor sculpture garden. But, much like the Whirligig Park, it is more than a collection of art—it’s a living, breathing testament to creativity, resilience, and collaboration. Vollis and Zagar, each in their own way, transformed everyday materials into something extraordinary.
Join us on April 9 to celebrate the legacy of these two visionary artists, the skilled hands that restored these whirligigs, and the journey of art across time and place. After that, these four whirligigs will continue spinning in Philadelphia, carrying the spirit of Wilson and Vollis’ boundless imagination with them.
The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project is a partnership of Wilson Downtown Properties, Inc.,
The City of Wilson, Wilson Downtown Development, and the North Carolina Arts Council.
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved. Homepage designed by Next Level Creative
The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project is a partnership of Wilson Downtown Properties, Inc.,
The City of Wilson, Wilson Downtown Development, and the North Carolina Arts Council.
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved. Homepage designed by Next Level Creative
