Today we headed to the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun with our neighbors Sandy and Owen.
It is a 10 acre historic district in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. It was designed and built by Arizona Artist Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia. The Gallery was opened in 1965.
The Architecture is beautiful
The Mission in the Sun was built in 1952 and dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The roof was left open to the sky - DeGrazia said you can't close up God in a stuffy room!
His murals adorn the walls
The current artist in residence did fun day of the dead themed shadow boxes and figurines
The original house had these cool curtains made from unraveled burlap
and my dream kitchen
with a great outdoor grill
A huge mosaic by DeGrazia
DeGrazias remains are buried on the property. The small placard reads: DeGrazia - Ad Infinitum
The Art Gallery entrance doors are from a Yuma prison
The inner door is punched with holes filled with colored marbles - let's go in and see what there is to see!
The Gallery is beautiful and goes on forever. The floor is made from 4" pieces of jumping cholla cut into 4" pieces cut and sanded by Indians then sealed with wax and set in concrete. The walls made of mud and straw.
A Diorama of the Island house which was used by Guests but fell into disrepair and vandalism. The diorama took 8 years to complete. The detail is amazing down to the paintings on walls inside and the peeling adobe walls
He made this Saguaro Crown for the Indians. He did not like that crowns are associated with Kings and Princes and Princesses. This one was made of Silver, Turquoise, Gold and Jewels - A crown for the humble People - A crown to tell the Indian story of the Saquaro Harvest - a crown of Thanksgiving.
I could stay all day in the gardens
The Koi were huge!
Artistic and whimsical items abounded
Hated to leave!
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