DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District is the artistic manifestation and architecture constructed by Ettore DeGrazia. The property is a series of buildings scattered throughout a natural desert setting. Built in Tucson near the intersection of Swan Road and Skyline the property is now a museum open to the public. Construction began in 1951 with the open air Mission in the Sun followed by a series of other expressionistic adobe buildings. The gallery/museum was constructed in 1965 with details including cactus flooring, exposed wood beams, rafters and unique artistic finishes.
The gallery replaced the first DeGrazia Building constructed in 1944 on the corner of Prince and Campbell Road. Artists and friends who spent time at the new gallery included Thomas Hart Benton, Olaf Wieghorst, Jack Van Ryder, Pete Martinez and Ross Santee. In 2006, the 10-acre (40,000 m2) property, now a museum of DeGrazia's work, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Buildings
- Mission in the Sun 1952
- DeGrazia House 1952
- Island House 1954 (demolished)
- Ceramics Studio 1954
- Brian’s House 1955
- Ghost House 1956
- Gate House 1960
- Gallery in the Sun 1965
- Garage 1966
- Nun’s house 1968
- Underground House 1969
- Apartment 1972
- DeGrazia Grave 1982
Images
Bibliography
- Adams, Margaret, Artist DeGrazia Built His Own Empire, Arizona Wildcat, December 17, 1962.
- Clinco, Demion, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun National Register of Historic Places Nomination, 2006.
- Buildings of Architectural Significance in Tucson, The American Institute of Architects, building number three. October 1960.
- Hermit Artist Builds Own Mission, National Geographic Magazine, September 1953, pp350.
- Cardon, Charlotte, “DeGrazia Creates His Own Environment.” The Arizona Daily Star, October 1964.
External links
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