DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

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Since the coach was in repairs for 3 days we had to find something to do. We spent several hours at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. Ted DeGrazia (1909-1982)was the son of Italian immigrants. His appreciation of Territorial Arizona, the native cultures in the Sonoran Desert and his passion for art are the background for his magnificent paintings.

He established the Gallery in the Sun when he could not find any other galleries interested in exhibiting his artwork.




Many of his paintings have a religious theme.



"Wind from the East"


A self portrait





You can spend hours on the grounds which comprise of 10 acres in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. Besides the gallery there are beautiful gardens, a Mission in honor of Fr. Kino and dedicated to the patron saint of Mexico - Our Lady of Guadalupe. Using traditional adobe bricks crafted on site, De Grazia built the Gallery and many of the other structures.

In 1976 publications such as the WSJ and People Magazine reported he hauled 100 of his paintings on horseback into the Superstition Mountains and set them ablaze to protest inheritance taxes on works of art. An interesting fellow.

A must see if your in the Tucson area and like spending a few quiet, peaceful hours surrounded by beautiful art. And the admission is free!

Hope all is well!!