William S. Rice
| William Seltzer Rice | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | June 23, 1873 Manheim, Pennsylvania |
| Died |
August 27, 1963 (aged 90) Oakland, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Woodblock prints |
William Seltzer Rice (June 23, 1873 – August 27, 1963) was an American woodblock print artist and art educator associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement in California.
Born and raised in Manheim in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, he grew up with his parents in his grandparent's home on Market Square that had been occupied by his family for four generations. His parents were John Rice and Sara Seltzer Rice. His grandfather, Samuel Rice, operated a carriage painting business in a shop at the back of the property. Interested in painting from a young age, William Rice set up a small studio in the corner of his grandfather's shop. He took occasional lessons from itinerant painters.
After completing high school, Rice himself began teaching drawing, saving his money to attend art school in Philadelphia, where he lived with a cousin. He won an art school scholarship, and also got a job with the Philadelphia Times as a staff artist. He began studies at the newly founded Drexel Institute, where Howard Pyle was among his teachers.
He also attended classes at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, now known as the University of the Arts. There, he began a friendship with Frederick Meyer, a German immigrant who later was hired as art supervisor for the .
In 1900, Meyer hired Rice as assistant art supervisor, and he relocated to , California. Meyer moved to San Francisco in 1902, and Rice was promoted to Meyer's job.
Rice began a personal exploration of scenic California, visiting Yosemite National Park in 1901 and Lake Tahoe in 1904. He also visited all of the Spanish missions in California.
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