Welcome to the "Ted" DeGrazia Blog

Biography

Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia was born June 14, 1909, in Morenci, Arizona Territory. His father was a copper miner who had immigrated from Italy. Showing an aptitude for both music and art, he was an accomplished musician and bandleader while earning graduate degrees in education and art from the University of Arizona. Beginning in 1941, DeGrazia's art appeared in Arizona Highways magazine. In 1942, DeGrazia traveled to Mexico to study under Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. They sponsored an exhibit of his paintings at Mexico City's renowned Palacio de Belles Artes where he received critical acclaim. He returned to Tucson a relative unknown, but continued to paint simple, expressive images in vibrant colors. He later opened a gallery at the intersection of Campbell and Prince roads and his reputation grew.

Official Web Site: http://degrazia.org/

Books
The following books are located at the University of Arizona Library, but you can also inquire about these titles at your public, university or college library:

DeGrazia : a biographical sketch.
Main ND237.D3337 D4
Main ND237.D3337 D4 c.2
Special Coll FA9791 D32de
UA Museum of Art ND237.D3337 D4

DeGrazia and Padre Kino : depicting memorable events in the life and times of the heroic, historic and immortal priest-colonizer of the Southwestern desert.
Special Coll FA9791 D32dap

DeGrazia: Arizona's own.
Special Coll N6537.D4 D44 1958 Pam.

DeGrazia as I know him.
Main ND237.D3337 R67
Special Coll FA9791 D32Z R813d

DeGrazia paints the Papago Indian legends.
Main Oversize ND237.D3337 A42 c.2
Spec Coll Oversize FA9791 D32di

Father Junipero Serra; sketches of his life in California[Los Angeles] W. Ritchie Press Year: 1969
NC139.D4 Not in our collection

The Seri Indians; a primitive people of Tiburón Island in the Gulf of California [by] Ted De Grazia with William Neil Smith. [Flagstaff, Ariz.] Northland Press: 1970.
Main ND237.D3337 .A48 c. 1 and 2
Spec Coll Oversize FA9791 D32s

Journeys with Saint Francis of Assisi, by Alvin Gordon. Art by Ted De Grazia.
[Palm Desert, Calif., Best-West Publications, 1966]
Main PS3557.O65 J6
Special Collections FA9791 D32Z G66
Special Collections PS3557.O65 J6 c. 2

DeGrazia: The Rest of the Story by Carol Locust. Published by U.S. Press and Graphics, Tucson, 2004.
Not in our collection.


Articles

Lanning, Rick. “Portrait of an Artist (Ted DeGrazia) Biography”, Desert, August 1981, v. 44, p. 20(4). Available through InfoTrac One File (InfoTrac is a database found on most university and/or college campuses).

P.G., Drinkin' and draggin. Rolling Stone, 6/15/95 Issue 710, p48 1/4p; 1bw
Recommends the 307 Lounge in Phoenix, Arizona. The seedy ambience of the bar; `The History of Alcohol' mural by artist Ted DeGrazia, which is displayed in the bar; How the club hosts drag shows every Friday and Saturday night; Address. Available through Academic Search Premier; EbscoHost (EbscoHost may also be found on most university and/or college campuses)

DeGrazia works never seen by public will be displayed. Arizona Daily Star, The (Tucson, AZ) - December 1, 2004. Available through News Bank (again, this is a subscription database that you may find on a college campus).

Neighborhood Briefing. Arizona Daily Star, The (Tucson, AZ) - June 16, 2004. Available through News Bank.

Dry Heat. The Arizona Daily Star - February 25, 1999. Available through News Bank.

DeGrazia's unique art at Gallery in the Sun. The Arizona Daily Star - May 22, 1997. Available through News Bank.

Ron Butler, “Christmas with DeGrazia: A magical night with the artist in New Mexico.” Tucson Weekly, December 19, 2002. http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=oid%3A46367

Ron Butler, “Gallery in the Spotlight: DeGrazia's Gallery tries to forge ahead after years of conflict.” Tucson Weekly, May 8, 2003. http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Arts/Content?oid=oid%3A47005

References in Encyclopedias

Who's Who in America. 38th edition, 1974-1975. Wilmette, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1974. [WhoAm 38] ; 39th edition, 1976-1977.
Main E663 .W56 38th 1974-75 v.1; 39th 1976-77 v.1

Who's Who in American Art. 11th edition. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1973. [WhoAmA 11]. 12th-15th editions.
Main Ref. N6536 .W5, v. 1973, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982.

Biography Index. A cumulative index to biographical material in books and magazines. Volume 22: September, 1996-August 1997. New York: H.W. Wilson Co., 1997. [BioIn 22] Main Ref. Z5301 .B5 v.21 1995-96

Something about the Author. Facts and pictures about authors and illustrators of books for young people. Volume 39. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. [SmATA 39] Biography contains portrait.
Information Commons Ref. PN451 .S6 v.39

Videos

De Grazia [videorecording] : a self-portrait.
Media DVD ND237.D3337 D44 1970z

Images
Arizona Highways: APR 00 (gallery), APR 96, DEC 94, JUL 84, MAR 83, DEC 82, DEC 80, DEC 79, OCT 77, DEC 74, OCT 72, MAR 71, AUG 67, DEC 64, NOV 57, MAR 49. Main F806 .A71.

The Navajo Indians : a collection of original paintings : artist color press proof. Special Collections ND237.D3337 A4 1975

De Grazia in fotos by Dick Frontain.
Main and Special Collections ND237.D337 F7

De Grazia by DeGrazia.
Main and Special Collections Oversize ND237.D3337 .M57
Other websites:

DeGrazia Gifts website. Contains images of his work.
http://www.ssmartco.com/degraziagifts/

About Arizona Highways: History. Arizona Highways: Gateway to an Inspiring Land. Short discussion on DeGrazia’s contributions to the magazine.
http://www.arizonahighways.com/page.cfm?name=About_History&page=7

Bibliography of DeGrazia's life by Peggy Cabrera, Librarian, University of Arizona Library, April 15, 2005