DeGrazia Paints the White Dove of the Desert

DEGRAZIA PAINTS THE WHITE DOVE OF THE DESERT
A Love Your Parks Tour ‘Following in the Footsteps of Artist Ted DeGrazia’ Story by Lisa D. Smith and Nancy J. Reid

Famed Arizona artist Ted DeGrazia, most likely the most reproduced artist in the world, is known for his art and paintings that trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest. DeGrazia was inspired by the memorable events in the life and times of Father Eusebio Kino. Since childhood, DeGrazia admired Padre Kino for his education, life of adventure and his respect for Native Americans. DeGrazia traveled to every Kino mission as he lovingly studied the life of his favorite Jesuit priest.

Located just 10 minutes from downtown Tucson, Arizona, Mission San Xavier del Bac also known as the “White Dove” of the desert, was founded by Padre Kino in 1692. This impressive mission was under Franciscan control when the Anza expedition stopped here on October 25, 1775. It is the oldest European structure in Arizona and widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in America. The mission still serves the Tohono O’odham community, and visitors can tour the church, museum and gift shop. This National Historic Landmark was named on the global World Monuments Fund “Watch” list of cultural heritage sites, as at risk from the forces of nature and the impact of social, political and economic change. The Patronato is a nonsectarian, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Southern Arizona community leaders in 1978 to promote the preservation and maintenance of Mission San Xavier del Bac. You can learn more about the restoration of the Mission, tours and concert series at www.PatronatoSanXavier.org.

You can view Ted DeGrazia’s paintings of San Xavier in the permanent collection ‘DeGrazia and Padre Kino’ at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. The Gallery is also home to the Mission in the Sun, built by DeGrazia and his friends in 1952 in memory of Padre Kino, and dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is registered as a National Historic landmark. For more about artist Ted DeGrazia and the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, visit www.DeGrazia.org. 

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