Ted DeGrazia’s Painted Ponies

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.