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DeGrazia
Gallery in the Sun Legendary
landmark of Art & Architecture
National Register of Historic Places – Tucson, Arizona
DeGrazia Gallery in
the Sun is a 10-acre historic district in the foothills of Tucson’s
Santa Catalina Mountains. It was designed and built from the ground up
by Arizona artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia, who achieved worldwide
acclaim for his colorful paintings of native cultures of the Sonoran
desert.
Using traditional adobe bricks crafted on-site, DeGrazia built the
gallery so his paintings “would feel good inside”. Opened in 1965, it
is home to over 15,000 DeGrazia originals including oil paintings,
watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent
collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. A
limited number of DeGrazia originals are available for purchase, while
the gift shop and online store offers a wide variety of popular
DeGrazia reproductions.
The
adjoining Mission in the Sun was built in 1952 in honor of Father Kino
and dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. With
its rustic rock floor, open-air ceiling and DeGrazia murals, the
mission is a beloved sanctuary for visitors year-round. Next to the
mission are the artist’s original home, his gravesite, and the Little
Gallery that hosts visiting artists during the winter months.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is maintained by the DeGrazia Foundation,
which was established by the artist before his death to ensure the
preservation of his beloved gallery and permanent exhibitions of his
work for generations to come. In October 2006, the 10-acre foothills
site was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and in
March 2007 was included on the National Geographic Map Guide of the
Sonoran Desert.
Events & Exhibits
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun sponsors
events throughout the year include rotating exhibitions of original
DeGrazia art, annual fall opening of the Little Gallery to showcase
visiting artists, and La Fiesta de Guadalupe every December.
On
Exhibit until Apr. 30: DeGrazia Paintings from Diego Rivera Studio:
Following the artist's 2009 centennial retrospective, this
exhibition of oil paintings by Ted DeGrazia were created
while he was studying and working in the Diego Rivera Studio
in Mexico City in 1942. DeGrazia worked for two months as a
student assistant to famed Mexican muralists Diego Rivera
and Jose Clemente Orozco, who jointly sponsored a critically
acclaimed one-man show for DeGrazia at the Palacio de Bellas
Artes in Mexico City. These paintings all date from the
period DeGrazia spent working in Rivera's studio and were
part of the 1942 exhibit.
On Exhibit until
Apr. 30: The Way of the Cross:
The annual showing of DeGrazia's "The Way of the Cross" is
paired this year with companion watercolors the artist
created in preparation for his work on the oil paintings. An
audiotape made by the late artist accompanies the exhibit,
providing his insightful comments about the significance of
the paintings that depict the suffering and crucifixion of
Christ. The oils were completed in 1964 after the Rev.
Robert L Graff asked the Tucson artist to paint the Stations
of the Cross for the chapel of the newly built Newman
Catholic Student Center near the University of Arizona. The
originals remained in the chapel for about a year before
insurance and environmental concerns prompted DeGrazia to
replace them with reproductions.
Articles
& Interviews
The Big Blend Magazine editors Nancy Reid & Lisa Smith visit the
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, and later interviews Lance Laber,
Executive Director of the DeGrazia Foundation on ‘Champagne
Sundays’, The Big Blend Magazine’s online radio show. To read their
article and listen to Lance’s interview about the Ted DeGrazia and
the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun – Click Here.
Domingo
DeGrazia – Spanish Guitar Rhythms, Flamenco Guitar
Techniques, Latin & Salsa Drum Beats Lance
Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Foundation and Domingo
DeGrazia, Ted DeGrazia’s son, will be featured guests on Big Blend
Magazine’s ‘Champagne Sundays Variety & Entertainment Radio’ to
discuss the Centennial. The show aired live on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009
from 11am-1pm PST. To listen to Lance and Domingo's interview, plus
two selections from Domingo's CD, San Carlos, please double click on
the Play Button Below.
Visual Tour
- To view a visual
presentation of The Galley in the Sun with music by Domingo DeGrazia
and lead guitarist Dustin Jones, please click
here.
The
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is Open Daily from 10 am – 4pm.
There is no admission charge. Address: 6300 North Swan, Tucson, AZ 85718
Tel: (520) 299-9191 or Toll Free: (800) 545-2185. Website & Online Shop:
www.DeGrazia.org
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This site developed by Big Blend Magazine™. copyrighted since 1998. No part of it may be reproduced for any reason, with out written permission from Big Blend Magazine, P.O. Box 867, Green Valley, AZ 85622.Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily that of this publication or any of its staff. We reserve the right to edit submittals. All subject matter is intended for general information only and not to be take as personal advice in any matter. Although every effort is made to be accurate, we cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies or plagiarized copy submitted to us by advertisers or contributors.
DeGrazia
The
adjoining Mission in the Sun was built in 1952 in honor of Father Kino
and dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. With
its rustic rock floor, open-air ceiling and DeGrazia murals, the
mission is a beloved sanctuary for visitors year-round. Next to the
mission are the artist’s original home, his gravesite, and the Little
Gallery that hosts visiting artists during the winter months.
The
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is Open Daily from 10 am – 4pm. 
