Thirty paintings created by well-loved painter Bob Ross, a soft spoken American artist best known for his iconic curly hair and his PBS series, will soon be auctioned to help public television stations hit hard by federal funding cuts.
The cuts ultimately eliminated federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps to fund PBS and NPR stations, leaving many local broadcasters struggling to maintain their educational and cultural programming. The first sale will take place at Bonhams in Los Angeles on Nov. 11, with additional auctions in London, New York, Boston and online.
Ross became a household name through his show “The Joy of Painting” that aired from 1983 to 1994.
He was praised for his calm voice and gentle teaching style and stood out from his peers by making painting feel relaxing and approachable instead of technical or intimidating. Ross encouraged millions of viewers to paint “happy little trees” and embrace “happy accidents.” Ross’ series made art instruction accessible to anyone with a television.
He “dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone through public television,” turning his show into an enduring symbol of the educational mission that public broadcasting represents.
The auctions come as stations nationwide face steep losses following the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The Associated Press reported that this move left about 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to find alternative funding sources. Proceeds from the auctions will go directly to stations that license programming from American Public Television, the distributor of “The Joy of Painting” and other educational series.
Ross’ original paintings are rarely available for purchase, making the auction a major event for collectors and longtime fans. The 30 paintings have only been seen when Ross was painting them on TV.
Most of Ross’ works were kept in storage after filming, which makes this release especially significant. The paintings are held by Bob Ross Inc., the company that preserves his legacy, and its decision to auction the works “ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades,” President of Bob Ross Inc. Joan Kowalski said.
Bonhams estimates the collection could bring between $850,000 and $1.4 million, following the August sale of two Ross landscapes for $114,800 and $95,750.
In giving back to public broadcasting, Ross’ art will once again serve the community he painted for, helping keep educational television alive for future generations.
