MUNCIE — A piece of television and art history went under the hammer on Tuesday, as a painting created by the legendary Bob Ross sold for a staggering $320,000 at auction.
The 18-by-24-inch oil-on-canvas painting, titled “Mountain Summit,” was crafted by Ross during Season 13 of his iconic, long-running show The Joy of Painting. The sale took place on June 30, 2026, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, as part of Bonhams’ curated “American Stories: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence” auction.
In a full-circle moment for the beloved artist’s legacy, the net proceeds from the massive sale are headed straight back to Muncie, Indiana, to support Ball State Public Broadcasting Service (WIPB-TV).
Back to Where the ‘Happy Little Trees’ Began
While Ross is a global pop-culture phenomenon, his roots are deeply tied to East Central Indiana. The soft-spoken artist filmed 30 of the 31 seasons of The Joy of Painting inside a historic studio in Muncie, the home of Ball State University.
Decades after those historic broadcasts, Ross’s art is now providing critical, modern financial stability to the public television station that helped launch him into the living rooms of millions. Ball State PBS operates under Ball State Public Media, a program that grants Ball State University students invaluable, hands-on experience producing professional programming that broadcasts across the region.
A Meaningful Boost for Public Media
Station leadership expressed profound gratitude following the final strike of the auctioneer’s gavel on Tuesday afternoon.
“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm surrounding this auction,” said Angie Grimes, interim general manager and director of audience development for Ball State Public Media, in an official statement.
“Bob Ross created so much of ‘The Joy of Painting’ here in Muncie, and this result is a meaningful reminder of the lasting relationship he built with WIPB,” Grimes added. “To see that legacy continue supporting the station decades later—at such an important time for public media — is incredibly special for all of us at Ball State PBS.”
