Thirty original paintings by beloved artist and television host Bob Ross will be auctioned off to help support public television stations across the United States after the Trump administration eliminated federal funding for public broadcasting. The auction house Bonhams announced that the artworks will be sold across multiple auctions, with proceeds going directly to American Public Television and PBS stations nationwide.
The first auction is scheduled for November 11 as part of Bonhams' California and Western Art sale. Three of Ross's paintings will be featured in this initial sale: "Cliffside," painted in 1990; "Winter's Peace," painted in 1993; and "Home in the Valley," also painted in 1993. All three works bear Ross's signature on the lower left side of the canvases, authenticating their provenance from the late artist's collection.
The complete auction series of 30 paintings has an estimated total value ranging from $850,000 to $1.4 million, according to Bonhams. This represents a significant fundraising effort to help offset the financial challenges facing public broadcasting stations following recent federal budget cuts.
"Bob Ross dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone through public television. This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades," said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., in a statement. The company, which manages Ross's artistic estate, has partnered with the auction house to facilitate this charitable effort.
The funding crisis for public broadcasting began in May when President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending public funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The White House justified the move by claiming these organizations had received "tens of millions of dollars" in taxpayer funding to spread what it called "radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'" The administration characterized the content as biased and partisan, leading to the decision to cut federal support.
Under the executive order, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was directed to cease funding to NPR and PBS to the extent permitted by law. This directive left hundreds of NPR and PBS stations scrambling to find alternative funding sources to maintain their operations and programming.
The impact of the funding cuts has been immediate and severe across the public broadcasting landscape. Some stations launched emergency fund drives to make up for the lost revenue, while others were forced to implement cost-cutting measures including program cancellations and staff layoffs. The Associated Press reported that the funding elimination has created widespread uncertainty in the public media sector.
"Public media has always been a unique public-private partnership, and this auction is a wonderful example of that," said Jim Dunford, president of American Public Television. The organization, along with PBS stations nationwide, will receive all net proceeds from the Bob Ross painting sales.
Bob Ross, who became a cultural icon through his show "The Joy of Painting," introduced millions of people to the world of art during his television career. He hosted the popular instructional program from 1983 until 1994, just one year before his death in 1995. The show, which was broadcast throughout the United States and internationally, made Ross a household name and art accessible to viewers of all skill levels.
Known for his calm demeanor and encouraging words, Ross was a former Air Force drill sergeant who transformed into one of television's most gentle and inspiring personalities. His catchphrases about "happy little clouds" and "happy little trees" became part of American popular culture, and he famously taught viewers that there were no mistakes in art, only "happy accidents."
Ross experienced a remarkable resurgence in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, as people turned to his soothing presence and accessible art instruction during a time of global uncertainty. His philosophy of finding joy and peace through creative expression resonated strongly with audiences seeking comfort and creative outlets during isolation.
Bonhams has indicated that additional auctions featuring Ross's work will be announced at a later date, suggesting this initial sale is just the beginning of a broader fundraising campaign. The auction house emphasized that all net proceeds will go directly to supporting public television stations, ensuring that Ross's artistic legacy continues to support the medium that made him famous.
The auction represents more than just a sale of artwork; it symbolizes the ongoing connection between Ross's mission to democratize art education and the public television system that made that mission possible. As public broadcasting faces financial challenges, the sale of these paintings offers both practical support and a poetic continuation of Ross's commitment to making art accessible to all Americans.
