Bob Ross paintings auctioned to aid public TV
Dozens of original Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned to raise money for public television after federal funding cuts, in what Bonhams calls the largest single offering of Ross originals ever brought to market. Bonhams says 100% of net sales proceeds will benefit APT and PBS stations nationwide; the first three works — including Winter’s Peace, painted on-air in 1993 — sell Nov. 11 in Los Angeles, with additional auctions scheduled through 2026 in Los Angeles, New York and Boston, amid a CPB shutdown that began at the end of September and about a 15% reduction in PBS staff.
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📌 Key Facts
- Bonhams describes this as the "largest single offering of Bob Ross original works ever brought to market."
- Dozens of Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned to raise funds for public TV after recent funding cuts.
- Per Bonhams, American Public Television (APT) will direct 100% of net sales proceeds to APT and PBS stations nationwide.
- Context: the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) began shutting down at the end of September and PBS has already cut about 15% of its jobs.
- The first three paintings will be sold Nov. 11 in Los Angeles, with additional auctions scheduled across 2026 in Los Angeles, New York and Boston.
- Among the first three works to be auctioned is "Winter’s Peace," painted on-air by Bob Ross in 1993.
📚 Contextual Background
- A continuing resolution (CR) is a short-term funding measure used to keep the federal government open temporarily while Congress completes the appropriations process.
📰 Sources (2)
Dozens of Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned to help public TV after funding cuts
New information:
- Bonhams describes this as the “largest single offering of Bob Ross original works ever brought to market.”
- APT will direct 100% of net sales proceeds to APT and PBS stations nationwide, per Bonhams.
- Context update: CPB began shutting down at the end of September and PBS has already cut about 15% of its jobs.
- Scheduling detail: the first three paintings sell Nov. 11 in Los Angeles, with additional sales throughout 2026 in Los Angeles, New York and Boston.
- Artwork detail: “Winter’s Peace” (painted on-air in 1993) is among the first three pieces to be auctioned.