DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN

Head north on Swan Road into the foothills of the Catalinas. You will cross the Rillito River (usually dry). When you cross over Sunrise Drive, look on the right hand side of the road for a sign "Gallery in the Sun". It is at 6300 N. Swan Road. Pull in and park and you can begin a free tour of one of Tucson's most colorful people. Ted DeGrazia.

Rustic, with a hand made look, simplistic yet colorful, the 10 acre property is filled with Teds whims, ideas and passions. The gallery itself is an adobe house with many rooms. Sit a spell and watch the half hour film depicting his life. Discover what caused him to burn over a million dollars worth of his paintings. Wander through the rooms and get a feel of his pain and his joy, his self expression and his love of color and textures. In the gift center, you may purchase everything from refrigerator magnets, glassware and cards to large reproductions.

Ted was proud of his accomplishments and could often be seen sitting in the room behind the counter. It took very little to persuade him to autograph the prints and they are a common sight in Tucson homes. Even in the 1940's he was known among artists in the southwest. Barry's grandmother in southern California took art classes in the 1950's and she loved painting in his simplistic style.

Ted paid his dues to the establishment. A graduate of Tucson's University of Arizona, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1944, his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in 1945.

As you wander through the gallery you may feel bewildered at the diverse media in which he excelled. Bronze, ceramics, and enamel pieces are featured throughout the center. Walk into the back courtyard and wander through the garden and more of his work pops out at you.

Notice the themes in some of the rooms telling stories of events and people. Ted DeGrazia was born in Morenci, Arizona in 1909 and died in Tucson in 1982. Probably his most popular works were of children in colorful but simple clothes and often wearing large sombreros (hats). Their faces are almost non existent but for their eyes. His work shows a love of nature and of the Indians and Mexicans in Arizona. Many of his paintings tell of events in their daily lives and of celebrations such as Easter and Christmas. Be sure to visit his chapel before you leave.

Ted was first noticed when Arizona Highways magazine began featuring his work from time to time. Then, in 1958, Hallmark used one of his pictures on a card, and in 1960 UNICEF selected "Los Ninos" for its holiday card, which many people consider De Grazia's best-known painting. This single card was sold by the millions and propelled Ted into the heart of the artistic world.

We have seen his work on cruise ships, in ski lodges and as far away as England and Australia. It is fun to see how Ted DegGrazia's fame took him so far afield but we know Tucson was his home and where he loved to be.

http://www.degrazia.org/

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