After graduating from East Carolina University in 1971, Bob joined the faculty of Sanderson High School to begin a 28-year teaching career where he motivated young people to pursue art passionately. Dedicated to continuous growth, Bob continued his study of technique and art history with world-renowned artists.

Bob was instrumental in the early stages of our community arts festival Artsplosure. As a practicing artist he has created works for numerous large-scale corporations including banks, information/technology systems, restaurants, and perhaps most recognizably he creates the original design each year for the International Festival.

He has received numerous awards throughout his career for his leadership and artistic contribution to our community. In 1993 he was awarded the Raleigh Medal of Arts and in 2015 he was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame.

Bob Rankin was inducted into the Wake County Public School System Hall of Fame in 2016.