Ted DeGrazia in the Studio of Diego Rivera

“Ted DeGrazia in the Studio of Diego Rivera ” features 13 works from DeGrazia’s critically acclaimed solo exhibition at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in 1942. The exhibition was mounted during DeGrazia’s two-month internship with Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco.

This exhibit is on display Jan. 31 – Sept. 3, 2025.

DeGrazia and Diego Rivera

About DeGrazia’s Internship with Diego Rivera

On a rare vacation in August of 1942, Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia and his first wife, Alexandra Diamos DeGrazia, journeyed to Mexico City. Arriving after a three-day drive, they found lodging and relaxed for a few hours before attending the ballet at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. At intermission, DeGrazia surprised his wife by pressing her to leave. “Diego Rivera is doing murals at the Palacio Municipal not far from here,” he explained. “Who knows, he might be working late, it’s worth a try…”

That was the beginning of a two-month apprenticeship, during which DeGrazia worked as a student assistant under the renowned artist Diego Rivera. During DeGrazia’s time in Mexico City, Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco helped him mount a solo exhibition of his work at the Palacio de Belles Artes. Thirteen of the works from that exhibition are on display now at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum. The exhibit entitled “Ted DeGrazia in the Studio of Diego Rivera” runs through to September 3, 2025.