GOOD NEWS! A selection of original Bob Ross paintings sold in an auction this past weekend, where all winning bids went to raise funds for U.S. public broadcasting, stated by The Art Newspaper.
“Cabin at Sunset” (1987) sold for over one million dollars at an online auction organized by the television programme “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” Early in November, several other paintings by Ross sold to benefit the American Public Television (APT).
That sale marked the beginning of multiple auctions that will support public broadcasting stations across the United States after the Trump Administration pulled back on news stations they deemed “traitorous.” The administration cut more than one billion dollars in federal support for public media. This leaves many stations with gaps that cannot be filled solely through local funding.
“These funds will help local stations continue to serve their communities with impactful programming,” said Jim Dunford, the president and chief executive of APT. “We’re deeply grateful to Bob Ross Inc for shining a spotlight on the need to support public media at this critical time.”
APT says the proceeds from the auction will be distributed to stations most affected by the funding cuts, particularly in rural states.
