In a major cultural event, three original paintings by the beloved television artist Bob Ross are heading to the auction block. The sale, organized by Bonhams in Los Angeles, aims to provide crucial financial support for public television stations across the United States during a period of severe funding cuts.
The Largest Release of Ross Originals
This landmark auction is being managed by American Public Television (APT) and represents the single largest release of Bob Ross's original artwork ever offered to the public. In total, thirty paintings will be sold, with every single dollar of the net proceeds dedicated to supporting public broadcasting.
Among the highlights are two paintings that were created live on Ross's iconic show, The Joy of Painting. The program was a staple on PBS for over a decade, airing from January 1983 to May 1994. A third painting, a distinctive vertical seascape, was originally crafted for an instructional book published by the artist himself.
A Midnight Idea to Bridge a Funding Gap
The inspiration for this charitable sale came from Joan Kowalski, the president of Bob Ross Inc., the company that safeguards the artist's legacy. Her idea sparked after witnessing two privately-owned Ross paintings fetch impressive sums at a Bonhams auction earlier in 2025.
Kowalski reached out to APT to explore how a larger-scale sale could help offset devastating recent losses in federal funding. She revealed the idea came to her suddenly, stating, "It was just an idea I had in my head in the middle of the night. No idea whether it would work or not, but little by little, I put the pieces together and decided it was really kind of a great idea. And I decided it's probably something Bob would have decided to do if he was still here."
The financial strain on public media is acute. In July 2025, Congress eliminated $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, fulfilling a long-stated goal of former President Donald Trump to defund public media.
Preserving a Public Legacy
Gabriella Jones-Litchfield, a consultant for APT, connected the auction to Ross's own philosophy. She emphasized that the sale reflects his core belief that public television should be accessible to all citizens, regardless of where they live. "Whether you're in rural America or in a major city, public television is there for those people and for us," she said. "Now we're in desperate need to fulfill this gap, this funding gap and really think about the future of what public television is and how we can survive in the future."
Aaron Bastian, a senior director at Bonhams, acknowledged the risk but expressed high hopes for the auction's success. "It's a risk. You don't know what's going to happen," Bastian admitted. "Hopefully, people will open their hearts and their wallet a little bit, knowing that the money's going to a good cause and they get to take home the painting."
Bob Ross, who became a cultural icon through his gentle teaching style and optimistic philosophy, passed away on July 4, 1995, at the age of 52. His popularity has seen a remarkable resurgence, reaching new generations of fans through social media and streaming platforms, making this auction a timely tribute to his enduring legacy.
