Ettore DeGrazia, 1909-1982, built the Mission in the Sun in honor of Father Kino,1644-1711, a Catholic priest thatestablished over 20 missions in the Southwestern US andMexico. The chapel is dedicate to our Lady of Guadalupe,patron saint of Mexico.
Both inside and outside the chapel you will find no shortage of photographic subjects, since DeGrazia has decorated it from head to toe with his own unique embilishments, from wallpaintings to flowers fashioned from old soda cans. Visitors have also left much to be photographed in the form of candles, pictures, crosses, and statues.
A short stroll from the chapel will lead you to the Galleryin the Sun, where the DeGrazia Foundation displays their15,000 DeGrazia works of art in rotating exhibits and six permanent displays. This building itself is a work of art,having been built by the artist with the help of Native Americans from local materials.
The Mission in the Sun and the Gallery in the Sun are both fantastic places to visit in the Tucson area if you arelooking for great photographic opportunities or simply wantto be inspired by one of the finest artists in the history ofthe Southwest. There is no entry fee to the chapel or the gallery. Driving directions and a map to the locations may be found on the following page. http://degrazia.org/Location.aspx
