Remember The Joy of Painting on PBS? Bob Ross was the show’s star and artist who painted happy little trees with a two-inch paint brush, sporting his trademark frizzy Afro, and a voice that calmed and relaxed. We loved Bob Ross!
The show was filmed in nearby Muncie, Indiana beginning in 1983. The historic Lucius L. Ball home served as the production studio for Channel 49 (WIPB) at the time and is where Bob filmed the show. The mansion sits on the Minnetrista Cultural Center campus and has been remodeled to accommodate the Bob Ross Experience. The exhibit is all about Bob Ross . It houses a re-created studio, artifacts, shows, and even painting workshops. Get more information and tickets here.
Local connection: Bob was a friend of Marilyn Arthur McAlister who owned Painted Memories in Yorktown. I painted with Marilyn for a few years until I moved too far away to continue. I recall that Bob visited Marilyn at the studio in Yorktown when he was in town. He may also have led seminars at her studio well before that. Before he began filming The Joy of Painting, Bob made a living teaching painting seminars around the country, first for Bill Alexander and later as part of his own company. Bill Alexander taught Bob how to use the wet-on-wet painting method that allowed the oil paints to move easily across the surface of the canvas and pickup the colors underneath. “Happy accidents” were born. And, of course, happy little trees who always came with friends. Bob seemed a friend and inspiration to us all.
Bob Ross died in 1995 at age 52 from lymphoma. His show is still in syndication on PBS. Please tell us about your experiences with Bob Ross and how he inspired you to lift a paint brush or take a nap with his calming voice in the background.
Exhibit: The Bob Ross Experience
Entry and Hours:
Local Residents
$8 per person for local residents
$6 per kid ages 12 and under (3 & under are free)
Non-Residents
$15 per person for all non-residents
$12 per kid ages 12 and under (3 & under are free)
Members of Minnetrista
Free
Monday & Tuesday Closed
Wednesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday Noon–5 p.m.
Minnetrista Cultural Center
1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway
Muncie, IN 47303
(765) 282-4848
info@minnetrista.net