Isaiah Rice facts for kids
Isaiah Rice (born 1917 – died 1980) was an American photographer. He took many pictures of people and places in Asheville, North Carolina. This city is located in western North Carolina.
Rice's photos are very special. They show what life was like for Black communities in the Appalachian Mountains. His pictures give us a look at these communities from the inside.
About Isaiah Rice
Isaiah Rice was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He went to Stephens-Lee High School there.
During a tough time called the Great Depression, he worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This was a government program that helped people find jobs.
Later, Rice served in World War II. He was also a member of St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church in West Asheville. He passed away in 1980.
His Amazing Photographs
Isaiah Rice was known as an "urban folk photographer." This means he took pictures of everyday life in his community. His photos show many different things:
- His family and friends
- His church
- Schoolchildren
- Pets
- Still life scenes (pictures of objects)
- Portraits (pictures of people)
- Parades and street life
- Men and women working
Sharing His Work
In 2015, Isaiah Rice's daughter, Mrs. Marian Rice Waters, and his grandson, Darin Waters, shared his photo collection. They gave the pictures to UNC Asheville's Special Collections.
The goal was to make the photos digital and save them. This way, more people could see them. You can find some of his photos online through UNC Asheville's Special Collections. Just search for the "Isaiah Rice Photograph Collection."
This collection shows important communities in Asheville, like Burton Street and Shiloh. According to his grandson, Darin Waters, the photos show the experiences of African Americans through the eyes of a family living a good life.
