From 1932 to 1939, Lankes taught at Wells College, Aurora, New York, where he continued to freelance in commercial genres — bookplates, illustrations, greeting cards, and commemorative commissions.  By 1941, he was elected to the National Academy of Design, and two years later he was hired as an instructor at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Langley, Virginia, where he headed the technical drawing division.  In 1950, he relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where he lived until his death in 1960. Lankes had a career spanning almost forty years, creating some 1,400 woodcut designs.

The Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center’s collection holds approximately 1000 prints, drawings, publications, woodblocks, and other items created by the artist as well as ephemera connected with his work.  Most of the pieces were given to the museum by J. B. Lankes, the artist’s son.

This retrospective exhibition brings together for the first time the largest concentration of the oeuvre of Lankes ever assembled. Its comprehensive representation of woodcuts and other works show the breadth and depth of his artistic vision and his interaction with the cultural milieu of his time. Particular emphasis is given to early influences, woodcutting technique, evolving social conscience, depictions of contemporary and historical subjects, and connection with various artist and authors. Highlights of the exhibition include woodcuts, etchings, paintings, drawings, personal diaries, watercolor sketches, bookplates, book covers, greeting card designs, and much more.

Organized by the University of Richmond Museums, the exhibition is curated by Welford Dunaway Taylor, Professor of English and the James A. Bostwick Chair of English, Emeritus, University of Richmond. The exhibition and programs are made possible in part with funds from the Louis S. Booth Arts Fund. A catalogue, published by the University Museums, is available.