DeGrazia sponsored luminaria to benefit local charity

Luminarias del Pueblo is a project of TPAC (Tucson Pima Arts Council), where artists were invited to submit proposals for luminaria sculptures that would benefit non-profit organizations and selected artists at a spring gala auction event. Fifty-three artists were selected from eighty-two who submitted proposals. Sponsors selected or paired up with a selected artist and their luminaria sculpture.

The DeGrazia Foundation sponsored artist Ronald Valencia with his sculpture ''Sonoran Majesty'' (pictured here), to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson.

''Sonoran Majesty'' is a visual connection with Tucson and it's desert environment using the image of a saguaro and prickly pear cactus. This sculpture/luminaria was selected by the DeGrazia Foundation for it's symbiotic connection with the Gallery in the Sun and it's landscape.  Examples of the beautiful cactus giants can be found not only throughout the 10 acre Gallery in the Sun grounds, but also as the subject of many DeGrazia paintings. ''Sonoran Majesty'' now resides at ''Gallery Row'' on the Northeast corner of Campbell and Sunrise, just a few miles west of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. The luminaria is positioned in front of the El Presidio Gallery.    

Valencia's sculpture is hand-formed metal and illuminated from the inside and outside by solar or conventional means. The rusted metal technique is sturdy and weather resistant for placement at any possible site.

This luminaria, which stands an impressive ten feet tall, will be auctioned off along with the fifty-two others on April 2, 2005 at the exclusive new JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. Ron's ''Sonoran Majesty'' is sure to bring high bids to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson.