EMP Field Trip

On Friday, Jacob chaperoned for Nathan's band class trip to the EMP {Experience Music Project} Museum. It's right next to the Seattle Center. The EMP Museum is a leading-edge nonprofit museum. We haven't been to it as a family but when Nathan told us he was going I thought that was pretty neat. I've read up on it and it sounds interesting but I just don't think that this type of museum is worth $20 a person. I know for sure that Riley would have been bored out of his mind. Glad these two went and enjoyed themselves.

Jacob did say that he regretted riding on the school bus. His butt kept bouncing off the seat and that the bus had no suspension, they felt every bump and pothole. I can't help but picture his silly self making faces and complaining to Nathan. 

He was also most proud of his guest pass. What a goof!

Nathan standing next to the guitar tornado.

There are several galleries. Jacob especially liked the Nirvana exhibition. He said it was pretty neat to see all the bands memorabilia. He also liked the Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Films exhibition. I'm glad he took a picture of this alien from the movie Alien staring Sigourney Weaver. My favorite of them all is the second one, Aliens.

It is especially cool that everything inside this museum are originals. Like this mask from the movie Scream.

And Christopher Reeves Superman costume. Awesome!

The wicked witches hat from The Wizard of Oz.

All pictures taken by Jacob.

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Field Trip

Nathan went on a field trip to the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun on Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Since my Mom was visiting I brought her along. I'm glad she was here to experience this with us. This place is truly remarkable. We arrived about 20 minutes early and took the opportunity to take pictures before the public started to arrive. 

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic district in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. It was designed and built from the ground up by Arizona artist Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia, who achieved worldwide acclaim for his colorful paintings of native cultures of the Sonoran desert. Using traditional adobe bricks crafted on-site, DeGrazia built the gallery so his paintings "would feel good inside". Opened in 1965, it is home to more than 15,000 DeGrazia originals, including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. 
You can read his biography at the highlighted and underlined link above. 

I have to say that there was so much to photograph. DeGrazia loved to recycle. According to the guide she said that he didn't throw anything away. He created art from anything and everything, not only in his artwork but in everything he built. I wasn't really into his paintings although I did like a few but what caught my eye and thought was fascinating was the way DeGrazia incorporated everything he recycled into art. Even his home was built with wood from old railroad tracks. Secondly I liked his ceramics and other artwork.

Call me crazy ... but I took over 500 photos. Obviously, I will not post all of them but will post the ones I liked best. Make sure you pay attention to detail.  Enjoy......

Road that leads up to the main entrance

There are two parts to this place. The outside where you will find a Mission, his original home, and his gravesite. Then the large gallery houses more than 15,000 DeGrazia originals, ceramics, sculptures and other artwork.

 

Heading over to the Mission

The Mission in the Sun was built in 1952 in honor of Father Kino and dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. The Mission has a rustic rock floor, open-air ceiling and DeGrazia murals.

now inside

open ceiling

 

DeGrazia painted the Virgin of Guadalupe

Nathan's class finally arrived

This is DeGrazia's original home.

horseshoes hanging from what I think is a mattress spring

Here we are in the living room

DeGrazia bringing back pieces of dead tree limbs. (Sorry about the glare, it was unavoidable).

kitchen

the dining room is on the other side of the half wall

Here DeGrazia is in the dining room

This is where he would make ceramics.

Nathan's 3rd grade class

mosaic

When DeGrazia first began building there was no electricity running through his property that's why the Mission and the large gallery have open ceilings and lots of windows to let light inside.

you will also come across benches, ramadas and tables

This is what appears to be a grill

I had never seen this before. What appears to be a dead cactus that had sprouted a new one ... that's interesting.

Hi Mom

This is DeGrazia's gravesite.

A closeup

DeGrazia died in 1982, at the age of 72 years old.

This is the everlasting Christmas tree. It is made out of rock. Visitors place loose change on the rocks and at the end of every month the workers collect the money and save it until December when they buy Christmas presents for children at hospitals with it.

Grandma gave Nathan a quarter to place on it

There are flowers just like this one throughout the grounds. They are actually made out of soda cans.

On our way to the large gallery

Main entrance to the large gallery

inside the gallery

listening to the guide

The gallery is made of adobe and straw

I liked the creative aspect of this part of the floor. I think they are wood pieces that sorta resemble flowers ... here, take a closer look

These pictures of Christ caught my attention

Through these curtains you are able to view a video of DeGrazia's biography.

This is Ted DeGrazia's studio

I really liked all the benches, stools, and chairs throughout the place. They are very unique.

I completely forgot the name of this statue ... but it's something like deer ... something man. Gotta call the place and find out.

Some of DeGrazia's family still lives on the property so some buildings said Private on them.

 

Pretty flower from a cactus

Isn't it pretty?

Ted DeGrazia was very bright talented creative artist.

I like this planter stand.

On our way back to the car. I hope you enjoyed all the pictures. I plan on taking Jacob and Sydna next time.

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is maintained by the DeGrazia Foundation, which was established by the artist before his death to ensure the preservation of his beloved gallery and permanent exhibitions of his artwork for generations to come.