Original artwork by the renowned painter and television host Bob Ross will be auctioned to support public television funding. This initiative comes in response to funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration.
Auction Details
The prestigious auction house Bonhams announced that 30 of Ross’ paintings will be auctioned off. The first auction is scheduled for November 11, during their California and Western Art sale. Notable pieces include:
- Cliffside (1990)
- Winter’s Peace (1993)
- Home in the Valley (1993)
Each painting features Bob Ross’ signature on the lower left side.
Support for Public Television
Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., emphasized the importance of this auction. She stated, “Bob Ross dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone through public television. This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades.”
Valuation and Background
The collection of paintings is valued between $850,000 and $1.4 million, as reported by Bonhams. This auction follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in May, which aimed to end public funding for organizations like National Public Radio (NPR) and PBS. Trump criticized these outlets for what he called biased news coverage.
Impact of Funding Cuts
The White House indicated that these organizations received millions in taxpayer funding. The executive order directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to reduce its financial support to NPR and PBS, emphasizing a shift in funding priorities.
