LOS ANGELES -- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for public television stations suffering from cuts in federal funding.Ross, a public television stalwart in the 1980s and '90s, “dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc.“This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades.”Bonhams in Los Angeles will auction three of Ross' paintings on Nov.
11.Other auctions will follow in London, New York, Boston and online.
All profits are pledged to stations that use content from distributor American Public Television.The idea is to help stations in need with licensing fees that allow them to show popular programs that include “The Best of Joy of Painting,” based on Ross' show, “America's Test Kitchen,” “Julia Child's French Chef Classics” and “This Old House.” Small and rural stations are particularly challenged.As desired by President Donald Trump, Congress has eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, leaving about 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations to find alternative funding sources.
Many launched emergency fund drives.Some have been forced to lay off staff and make programming cuts.Popular ReadsJohn Durham undercut case against James Comey in interview with prosecutors: SourcesOct 6, 5:04 AMGovernment shutdown updates: Trump suggests some furloughed workers may not get paidOct 7, 5:47 PMSniper opens fire on Dallas ICE facility, killing 1 detainee, wounding 2: DHSSep 24, 6:39 PMThe beloved Ross died in 1995 of complications from cancer after 11 years in production with “The Joy of Painting.” His how-to program was shown on stations around the U.S.
and around the world.The former Air Force drill sergeant known for his calm demeanor and encouraging words enjoyed a resurgence ...