Laurence Rathsack

BORN: 1921, in Milwaukee

DIED: March 3, 2008, at age 87.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Rathsack began his artistic studies under Alfred Pelikan while in high school. A block print of his from this period is included in the book, Milwaukee Senior High School Block Prints.

Laurence Rathsack graduated from Wisconsin State Teachers' College, where he studied under artist mentors Howard Thomas and Robert Von Neumann.

He began his long teaching career at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee from 1956 to 1988. Proudly, he once said, "I came from a poor background and felt comfortable at UWM, an urban institution that is not one of those prestigious universities that calls to students of wealth.” UWM later created a scholarship to promote excellence in painting and drawing, and honor his dedicated work, generosity and grace towards students.

In 1957 he developed one of the first educational programs on Milwaukee television focusing on creative design, "Art Education 62a." Rathsack became an associate professor in 1964 and a full professor in 1972. Rathsack served as the chair of the Department of Visual Art and later as the department's director of graduate studies.

He received awards from the Milwaukee Art Commission for lifetime achievement in the Visual Arts and the Amoco Award for Excellence in Teaching. An esteemed teacher and dedicated administrator, Rathsack actively participated in generations of Milwaukee's community of artists.

Rathsack was especially known for his daring experimentation of watercolors. He was president of both the WI Watercolor Society and WI Painters & Sculptors (1960-1961).

His seven decade exhibition record included major shows beginning with the International Watercolor Show at the Art Institute of Chicago, participation in the Walker Art Center Biennial, Minneapolis, and over twenty solo exhibits in the Midwest and beyond. Rathsack's recent shows include the Dean Jensen Gallery, Milwaukee, Institute of Visual Arts (Inova) at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Neues Museum in Weimar, Germany.

Photo credit:

Tom Wojciechowski - UWM BFA 1976