DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

I have read and heard about Ted DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun since I moved here and I've been wanting to visit. I would have gone by myself sometime when Nicco was in school, but it is much more fun to do things like this with someone like my Mama (or my sisters...ahem, sisters.)

When DeGrazia started painting, like many artists he had a hard time getting galleries to show his work. Eventually, he bought some land and built his own little gallery. Over time, he gained some attention and eventually some money, so he built a bigger gallery to house his works. He kept the little gallery especially to give little known or unknown artists a place to show their works. The property is on the historical society's list and it includes his original little gallery, the home and chapel he built, as well as several small outbuildings and the larger, newer gallery.

Here's the chapel:

He wasn't especially religious, but he was very spiritual, and he befriended many of the native indian tribal people. He built this chapel mainly for the indians to pray and worship. It is really neat, because you can see that it is all built by hand. 

The ceiling is open in the chapel, with a little steeple up above. This is the shrine with many mementos and memorials to loved ones who have passed on.

These are two little rooms to the right and left of the entrance of the chapel where the bride and groom get dressed for their weddings.

I left my foot in the picture so it would be obvious that this is the floor. Dirt and stone. I also liked all the doors:

This was a heavy metal door with marbles embedded in the design and they shine through the other side:

This is a mural on the wall in the little chapel. A bit out of order.

This is the guest artist gallery. The little windows have colored glass. There were many places throughout the buildings on the grounds where he made special allowance for light and color to come in.

Nicco in the kitchen of the little house.

A doorway with a little saint in a niche across the way.

Nicco sitting at the fireplace. He asked me if the tall part is the chimney. When I answered in the affirmative, he said, "Oh, so Santa Claus could visit here." He also asked if someone real lived here. There was a photo of DeGrazia and his wife on the wall, sitting on the bench in front of this very fire place, so yes, someone real lived here.

One of many little gates

This is the floor in the main gallery.  We really liked seeing all the natural and native materials DeGrazia incorporated in his art and in his buildings.

Fountain in the courtyard

Another mural on the wall

I just couldn't resist taking a picture of Nicco's footwear. His comfy socks and swim shoes. Oh my goodness, my little nerd. Mom reminded me that "nerds are nice." I concurred, but conceded that they are also nerdy.

 A mosaic on a wall near one of the outbuildings by the little gallery

Close up detail of the corner and signature on the mosaic. Cool!

I really enjoyed this gallery. DeGrazia had many interesting collections and themes in his gallery. I think my favorite was his 15 stations of the cross, chronicling Christ's journey from taking up the cross to his resurrection. My dad, who doesn't typically enjoy art galleries as much as my mom and sisters and I, said that DeGrazia's work spoke to him on a certain level. It was certainly interesting and unique. Even Nicco had some fun.