Born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181, Saint Francis became known for a life centered on simplicity, compassion, and care for others. He also held a deep reverence for the natural world, viewing animals, plants, and the earth as part of a shared creation worthy of respect and protection. That connection to nature made Francis an especially meaningful subject for DeGrazia, whose own art and life reflected a profound appreciation for the landscapes, wildlife, and people of the Southwest.

Please join us Friday, September 4 from 5 to 7 p.m., as we celebrate the opening of two new exhibits: The Midnight Sketches of Ted DeGrazia and Saint Francis of Assisi. Enjoy light refreshments and be the first to see these long-hidden works at this free, public reception.

The Midnight Sketches of Ted DeGrazia

Late at night while most of Tucson slept, renowned Arizona artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia would pick up a pen and begin to draw. Frequently using prepaid U.S. Mail postcards and envelopes as his canvas, these small watercolored pen and ink drawings include time notations of their completion between midnight and 5 a.m.

DeGrazia began creating these works in 1955 and continued the practice for two decades. This new exhibit brings together a selection of these intimate, watercolored pen-and-ink drawings, offering visitors a glimpse into the artist’s late-night imagination and creative process.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Opening alongside The Midnight Sketches of Ted DeGrazia exhibit is Saint Francis of Assisi, featuring DeGrazia’s interpretations of one of the world’s most recognized religious figures. Through drawings, prints, sculptures, and paintings created between 1950 and 1978, the exhibit traces nearly three decades of the artist’s engagement with Saint Francis and the themes of humility, compassion, and connection to the natural world.

Ted DeGrazia’s Painted Ponies

Visitors can also experience Ted DeGrazia’s Painted Ponies, a temporary exhibition examining the artist’s lasting fascination with carousel imagery.

Created between 1948 and 1975, the works reveal how DeGrazia returned to the subject throughout nearly three decades of his career. The earliest pieces feature darker colors and mysterious riders, creating a mood that feels dreamlike and sometimes haunting. His later interpretations become brighter and more energetic, capturing the movement, wonder, and playfulness of the carousel.

The exhibition also demonstrates DeGrazia’s willingness to explore a single subject through an extraordinary range of materials. Along with paintings and works on paper, visitors will encounter sculptural interpretations made from ceramic, steel, brass, bronze, silver, glass, and Nambé. Together, the works offer a rich look at how one recurring image continued to inspire DeGrazia across different periods, styles, and media.

All three exhibits will be on display through January 27, 2027.

About DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum

Visitors to the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum are treated to a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits featuring DeGrazia’s vibrant impressionistic works that showcase his genuine love for the native cultures and scenery of the Sonoran Desert. A prolific artist, he worked in almost every medium including paintings, sculptures, and textiles.

The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 13-18, and children under 12 are free.

Opens Sept. 4, 2026

Late at night while most of Tucson slept, renowned Arizona artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia would pick up a pen and begin to draw. Frequently using prepaid US Mail postcards and envelopes as his canvas, these small watercolored pen and ink drawings include time notations of their completion between midnight and 5 a.m.

DeGrazia began creating these works in 1955 and continued the practice for two decades. A new exhibit, The Midnight Sketches of Ted DeGrazia, brings together a selection of these intimate, watercolored pen-and-ink drawings, offering visitors a glimpse into the artist’s late-night imagination and creative process.

Opening alongside the exhibit is Saint Francis of Assisi, featuring DeGrazia’s interpretations of one of the world’s most recognized religious figures. Through drawings, prints, sculptures, and paintings created between 1950 and 1978, the exhibit traces nearly three decades of the artist’s engagement with Saint Francis and the themes of humility, compassion, and connection to the natural world.

Both exhibits open September 4, 2026, at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum and remain on display through January 27, 2027.

Ted DeGrazia’s Painted Ponies brings together a spirited selection of carousel horses and merry-go-rounds by Tucson artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia.

Featuring drawings, watercolors, oil paintings, and sculptures dating from 1948 to 1975, the exhibition traces how DeGrazia returned to this playful subject throughout his career, reimagining it across different styles, materials, and moods.

DeGrazia’s early carousel paintings often featured mysterious riders and a darker, more atmospheric style. By the mid-1950s, his approach became brighter and more cheerful. Over time, the carousel itself began to disappear from the work, giving way to children riding free-floating painted ponies through space.

The exhibition also includes sculptural works from the series, including hanging carousels fabricated with ceramic and steel, brass and bronze, and silver and glass, along with carousel horses cast in ceramic, bronze, and nambé.

Ted DeGrazia’s Painted Ponies will be on display May 29, 2026, through January 27, 2027.

Join us May 16, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of DeGrazia’s legendary 1976 art burning, when the artist destroyed his own paintings to protest inheritance taxes. Gallery admission will be free for this evening celebration.

During the event, the Gallery gift shop will also offer collector’s edition bottles of Whiskey Del Bac’s classic single-malt whiskey featuring DeGrazia’s “Monster of Quitovac” painting. This limited-edition bottle is back by popular demand and available for purchase May 15 – 17 while supplies last.

Event Details

May 16, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m.
Free admission
Refreshments provided

The Story behind the Celebration

In May 1976, DeGrazia traveled into the Superstition Mountains with friends, gear-laden horses, and a collection of his own unsold paintings. After learning that the value of his artwork could create tax problems for his heirs, the artist built a roaring fire and burned many of his works in protest.

Some called it a publicity stunt. Others saw it as a bold act of defiance or an unforgettable piece of self-made legend. Whatever the motivation, DeGrazia knew how to make a point.

View Our Current Exhibits

During the event, guests can enjoy refreshments and explore the museum’s current limited-time exhibitions, “DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians” and “Ted DeGrazia’s Unseen Landscapes.” Together, the exhibits bring rare paintings, watercolors, and drawings from the museum’s collection out of storage and into public view, including works shown publicly for the first time and others unseen for decades.

Time is also running out to catch “The Way of the Cross,” which closes May 28, 2026. This annual spring exhibit features 15 original oil paintings depicting the suffering and crucifixion of Christ, including DeGrazia’s unique Fifteenth Station representing the resurrection of Christ.

Visitors are also invited to wander the historic 10-acre foothills property, with its hand-built adobe architecture, verdant desert gardens, and deep connection to the region’s history, culture, and scenery.

Date: January 30, 2026
Time: 5 – 7 pm
Location: DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, 6300 N Swan, Tucson, AZ 85718
Free to attend

This free, public reception offers a rare opportunity to experience works by Tucson artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia that have been hidden from view for decades.

DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians features drawings, watercolors, and oil paintings inspired by DeGrazia’s time with the Comcaac (Seri) people of coastal Sonora, Mexico, including works being displayed publicly for the first time.

Ted DeGrazia’s Unseen Landscapes brings forward watercolors, ink drawings, and oil paintings that have remained in storage for up to 75 years.

The Way of the Cross presents DeGrazia’s powerful spiritual interpretation of the Stations of the Cross.

Enjoy light refreshments while exploring the historic Gallery grounds and viewing these rarely seen works during this special evening celebration.

This exhibit will be on display through Sept. 2, 2026.

Expanding on that body of work, “DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians” presents more than a dozen paintings of the Comcaac people, several of which are being shown publicly for the first time. The exhibit offers a rare and intimate view into a culture DeGrazia sought to record and honor through his art.

This exhibit will be on display through Sept. 2, 2026.

“I never thought the cycle would be completed unless we had the fifteenth station where Jesus arises in glory,” the artist explains in a 13-minute audio recording that accompanies the exhibition.

This exhibit is on display Jan. 30 – May 28, 2026.

While you are here, catch our limited-time fall exhibits before they close on January 28, 2026. Don’t miss Brush Drawings of Ted DeGrazia, DeGrazia’s Pastels, and Ceramic Paintings of Ted DeGrazia – three special collections that showcase different sides of DeGrazia’s artistry. Experiencing them in the calm glow of an evening visit makes them even more memorable.

It’s also the perfect time to shop for holiday gifts. Our gift shop will be open with a wide selection of treasures, from stocking stuffers and festive keepsakes to unique home goods and casual apparel. For the art lovers in your life, you’ll also find original DeGrazia consignment artwork, including oil paintings, watercolors, and sculptures. These are one-of-a-kind gifts they’ll cherish for years!

Join us for this art-filled night that blends holiday cheer with the timeless charm of the Gallery in the Sun. We look forward to celebrating with you on Dec. 5!