Bob Ross Paintings Heading to Auction to Benefit Public Television
Thirty paintings by the late artist Bob Ross are going up for auction beginning November 11, with 100% of the proceeds pledged to support public television stations nationwide.
American Public Television (APT) is staging the auction through Bonhams, starting in Los Angeles and continuing through 2026 at salesrooms in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. The auction includes paintings created live on air, adding to their appeal for collectors. “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, Bonhams Skinner, in a statement. Bonhams previously established a record in August, selling two Ross paintings for $114,800 and $95,750 respectively, demonstrating the growing demand for his work.
The auction comes at a critical time for public broadcasting, which recently faced significant funding cuts. In July, Congress reduced federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) by $1.1 billion, leading to the organization’s announced closure and staff reductions. This loss of funding threatens the future of educational programming like “The Joy of Painting,” which helped establish Ross’s widespread popularity. You can learn more about the challenges facing public broadcasting on the PBS website.
Ross, known for his calming demeanor and signature wet-on-wet technique, became a cultural icon through his long-running PBS series. His accessible style inspired generations to take up painting, and his work continues to resonate with audiences today. Officials anticipate strong bidding, and Bonhams has not yet provided an estimate for the total value of the 30 works.
The first three paintings will be offered at Bonhams in Los Angeles as part of its California & Western Art auction, with the remaining 27 to be sold throughout 2026.
