Tree in Court

Painter and Educator, Laurence Rathsack was born and raised in Milwaukee. He studied under Alfred Pelikan while in high school. One of Rathsack’s block prints, River Bridge, can be seen in the book, Milwaukee Senior High School Block Prints. His art mentors at college were Robert von Neumann and Howard Thomas. Before becoming Professor of Art with UW- Milwaukee in 1956, Rathsack taught in high schools, the University of Saskatchwan, and privately. When commenting on his amazing UW teaching career from 1956 to 1988, Rathsack called himself “a string, a conduit, from the mid 30’s to the present. 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.” Rathsack’s generosity and personal grace towards students led to a scholarship honoring him. The scholarship will promote excellence in drawing and painting. Known for his provocative experimentation in the watercolor medium, he was president of WI Watercolor Society. Rathsack was president of WI Painters & Sculptors (1960-1961).