Diane Y. Welch
A Community Asset
retelling people's stories, past and present
A resident in Southern California, Diane is a British native who has generated an international excitement about the obscure architect Lilian J. Rice. Her book, "Lilian J. Rice: Architect of Rancho Santa Fe, California" by Schiffer Publishing, is the world's first monograph published on this important, yet under-recognized, historic figure. Designing and building in the 1920s and 30s for some of the nation's top celebrated achievers, Rice's reputation has been clouded in controversy, her integrity threatened, along with her buildings. Through scholarly research, Diane has debunked the myths surrounding Rice and celebrates her remarkable achievements. Diane's follow up book on Rice, "The Life and Times of Master Architect, Lilian J. Rice" retells a personal journey of discovery as Diane gathered fragments of facts to retell an accurate story of Lilian Rice's life and of those who were connected to her.
A Voice for the Community
Diane Welch is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author whose passion for storytelling has given a platform to the people, places, and events that shape San Diego County. She began her career in 1999 covering the local arts scene, and later joined the San Diego Union Tribune, where she built a reputation for accuracy and integrity.
Through her work, Diane has chronicled the stories of artists, authors, philanthropists and community leaders, and spotlighted many "A" list celebrities. Her commitment to her craft has earned her recognition from both the Society of Professional Journalists and the San Diego Press Club for her authentic, community-centered reporting.
A Life in Art
Alongside her career as a professional writer, Diane is an accomplished fine artist. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions over the past decades and is included in several distinguished collections—including those of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair as well as many private collections in the U.S. and U.K.
Two of Diane’s student works from Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds were recently acquired for the permanent collection of the prestigious Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery in Leeds. Her art has also been showcased as part of the Solana Beach Rail Trail public art program and exhibited extensively in Southern California.
Championing Lilian J. Rice
Dedicated to sharing the life and work of Depression-era master architect Lilian J. Rice.
For more than a decade, Diane has devoted her research to the life and work of Depression-era architect Lilian J. Rice—a once-obscure figure whose legacy Diane has helped bring to light. Her passion for Rice’s story has earned national recognition from historic, architectural, and women’s organizations across California and beyond.
Diane has presented lectures for the Colonial Dames of America, League of Women Voters, Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center, Rancho Santa Fe Association Art Jury, Historic Site Board of San Diego, Save Our Heritage Organisation, San Diego History Center, AIA Palomar Chapter / Women in Architecture, California State University San Marcos, and numerous Rotary Clubs and civic groups.
Rancho Santa Fe: A Century of Architecture
Renowned for her expertise on the history of Rancho Santa Fe—Southern California’s exclusive estate enclave—Diane Welch was commissioned by the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society to author a centennial tribute to the community’s architectural heritage designed by Lilian J. Rice.
The book brings to life the Village’s historic rowhouses, three grand estate homes, and the legendary Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.
In collaboration with designer Joan Maloney of Studio 318, Diane pairs vivid contemporary photography with rare archival images to reveal the artistry of Rice’s vision and the pioneering spirit of the original homeowners who built a community from the ground up a century ago.