Painting a Future: Bob Ross Art Auctions Helping Public TV Stay Afloat

Bob Ross, host of the PBS series "The Joy of Painting"

Thirty original Bob Ross paintings, iconic for their serene landscapes and the artist’s approachable style, are set for auction as public television stations grapple with reduced federal funding.

The sale aims to generate critical funds, allowing these stations to continue providing valued programming in the face of steep budget cuts.

Bob Ross, a household name through the 1980s and ‘90s, built his legacy making art accessible to all audiences. Joan Kowalski, President of Bob Ross Inc., notes that this auction is a strategic effort to ensure Ross’s influence continues to benefit public broadcasting, the very channel that introduced his work to millions.

Bonhams will launch the auction in Los Angeles on November 11, with subsequent events scheduled for New York, London, Boston, and online platforms. All proceeds are earmarked for public television stations, particularly smaller and rural outlets that rely on American Public Television for licensing content, including “The Best of Joy of Painting,” “America’s Test Kitchen,” and other flagship programs.

The need for funding is acute. Following significant federal budget reductions, including a $1.1 billion cut championed by the Trump administration, nearly 600 PBS and NPR stations have been forced to seek alternative revenue sources. Many have responded with emergency fundraising campaigns, staff reductions, and cuts to programming.

Ross’s enduring appeal, amplified during the pandemic as audiences revisited his calming broadcasts, underscores the value of public media. The thirty paintings going to auction span Ross’s career, featuring his signature landscapes and typically created live on his show in under thirty minutes. Recent sales indicate strong market interest: Bonhams sold two Ross paintings last August for $114,800 and $95,750. The upcoming auctions are expected to collectively generate between $850,000 and $1.4 million, providing a much-needed boost to public broadcasting at a critical time.