The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. Tucson, Arizona
The Catalina Foothills, outside of Tucson, are home to a unique art and cultural gallery. The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun includes a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe and a gallery showcasing the artwork of one man - Ted DeGrazia. The Catalina Foothills Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia (1909-1982) was born in the town of Morencia, Arizona Territory. His father and uncles were copper miners at the Morencia Mines who had emigrated from Italy. He graduated high school at age 23, due to his family having to return to Italy for five years when the mines were temporarily closed. Not wanting to work in the mines, Ted made his way to Tucson and enrolled in the University of Arizona, eventually earning degrees in Fine Arts and Art Education. During his very prolific life, DeGrazia created hundreds of drawings, paintings, sculptures, and ceramic pieces. His work exploresthe mythologies of local native tribes, and the cultural and religious lives of Mexican-Americans. The gallery is divided into r...