City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (520) 299-9191

Address: 6300 N. Swan Rd.

Insider Pick:

Description: High above the city, at a site that was once quite remote, stands this unusual gallery that celebrates the life and work of the late Ted DeGrazia. More than 125,000 people a year visit this site to view some of the more than 10,000 DeGrazia paintings that deal with Spanish exploration of the Southwest, Indian lore, legends, celebrations, rodeos, and bullfighting. DeGrazia even designed the floor tiles, light fixtures, and other decorative features throughout the gallery. Signature works are of Indian children with round faces and flowing black hair. The prolific artist also worked in bronze, ceramics, stone lithographs, serigraphs, glassware, and jewelry.Down a path from the main building is the small, open-roofed Mission in the Sun—a chapel DeGrazia designed and built himself. The chapel’s walls are decorated with DeGrazia murals.Before his death in 1982, DeGrazia created the DeGrazia Art and Cultural Foundation to keep the site operating. Since that time the foundation has also supported other arts organizations, including public broadcasting, within Tucson.The gallery is open daily. You can purchase DeGrazia posters, cards, and gifts at the charming gift shop located in the main building. There is no admission fee.