Thirty original paintings by the late television artist Bob Ross will go up for auction next month, with proceeds benefiting public broadcasting stations across the United States that are facing federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. The auction, organized by nonprofit programming syndicator American Public Television (APT) and conducted by renowned auction house Bonhams, represents a unique opportunity for collectors to own works created during Ross's iconic PBS television show "The Joy of Painting."
The paintings being auctioned are among the thousands of works Ross created on-camera during his instructional television series, which aired on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations for over a decade. One of the featured pieces, "Home in the Valley" (1993), showcases Ross's signature wet-on-wet oil technique, where he gently dabbed a mixture of bright yellow and green paint onto canvas to create grassy foothills that transformed into a landscape featuring lush trees, gauzy mountains, a jewel-toned pond, and a red-roofed barn.
According to an October 7 announcement from Bob Ross Inc., the company managed by Joan Kowalski, daughter of Ross's former business partners Annette and Walt Kowalski, net proceeds from the auction will be distributed across APT and PBS stations nationwide. "The auction ensures Bob's legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades," the announcement stated.
The first sale is scheduled for November 11 in Los Angeles as part of Bonhams's California Western Art sale. This initial auction will feature three of Ross's works: "Home in the Valley" (1993), "Winter's Peace" (1993), and "Cliffside" (1990). Each painting is valued between $30,000 and $50,000. The remaining 27 paintings will be offered in a series of auctions across Bonhams's New York, Los Angeles, and Boston salerooms throughout 2026.
Ross's enduring popularity has seen remarkable growth in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when new generations of viewers discovered his calming voice and distinctive appearance on YouTube and other streaming platforms. "That's what I like about painting: It gives you freedom," Ross mused in a 1994 episode of his show. "You can create any illusion that you want." His accessible approach to arts education continues to resonate with audiences decades after his death.
The art market has taken significant notice of Ross's work in recent years. In 2019, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History acquired four of his paintings. More dramatically, "A Walk in the Woods" (1983), created for the very first episode of his television series, was valued at around $10 million in 2023 and was rumored to have sold to an unnamed buyer for $9.8 million.
Bonhams has established itself as a leader in the Bob Ross market, currently holding the world record for his work. In August, the auction house sold two Ross paintings, "Lake Below Snow-Capped Peaks and Cloudy Sky" (1990-91) and "Lake Below Snow-Covered Mountains and Clear Sky" (1990-91), for $114,800 and $95,750, respectively. These sales demonstrate the growing collector interest in Ross's television-created works.
"Bonhams holds the world record for Bob Ross, and with his market continuing to climb, proceeds benefiting American Public Television, and many of the paintings created live on air – a major draw for collectors – we expect spirited bidding and results that could surpass previous records," said Robin Starr, general manager of the auction house, in a statement.
The timing of this auction is particularly significant as public broadcasting faces ongoing challenges with federal funding cuts. The sale represents not only an opportunity for collectors to acquire historically significant artworks but also a way to support the very medium that made Ross a household name and continues to broadcast educational and cultural programming to millions of Americans.
