LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for public television stations suffering from cuts in federal funding.
Ross, a public television stalwart in the 1980s and ’90s, “dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. “This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades.”
Bonhams in Los Angeles will auction three of Ross’ paintings on Nov. 11. Other auctions will follow in London, New York, Boston and online. All profits are pledged to stations that use content from distributor American Public Television.
The idea is to help stations in need with licensing fees that allow them to show popular programs that include “The Best of Joy of Painting,” based on Ross’ show, “America’s Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child’s French Chef Classics” and “This Old House.” Small and rural stations are particularly challenged.
As desired by President Donald Trump, Congress has eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, leaving about 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to find alternative funding sources. Many launched emergency fund drives. Some have been forced to lay off staff and make programming cuts.
The beloved Ross died in 1995 of complications from cancer after 11 years in production with “The Joy of Painting.” His how-to program was shown on stations around the U.S. and around the world. The former Air Force drill sergeant known for his calm demeanor and encouraging words enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ross spoke often as he worked on air about painting happy little clouds and trees, and making no mistakes, only “happy accidents.”
The thirty paintings to be auctioned span Ross’ career and include landscapes depicting serene mountain vistas and lake scenes, his signature aesthetic. He created most of the 30 on-air, each in under 30 minutes, which was the span of a single episode.
Bonhams sold two early 1990s mountain-and-lake scenes of Ross in August for $114,800 and $95,750. The auctions of the 30 paintings soon to be sold have an estimated total value of $850,000 to $1.4 million, Bonhams said.
Wisconsin PBS and Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) are facing significant challenges due to the cessation of federal funding.
As of October 1, 2025, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has ceased operations following a $1.1 billion funding cut enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. This decision has resulted in a $6 million annual budget reduction for Wisconsin Public Media, which comprises PBS Wisconsin and WPR.
Despite this setback, PBS Wisconsin and WPR are committed to maintaining their services. They are actively seeking alternative funding sources, including increased community support and donations.
Both organizations have reported a surge in membership, with thousands of new contributors expressing their commitment to sustaining public media in Wisconsin.
In response to the funding crisis, PBS Wisconsin and WPR are exploring cost-saving measures and operational adjustments to mitigate the impact of the budget cuts.
While specific details of these measures have not been publicly disclosed, the organizations emphasize their dedication to providing quality programming and services to the Wisconsin community.
For more information and updates, you can visit PBS Wisconsin’s official website at pbswisconsin.org.
