New opening date for postponed Bob Ross art exhibit in Penticton

An exhibit of the work of iconic television host Bob Ross cancelled by the Penticton Art Gallery due to the COVID pandemic has been rescheduled.

The "Happy Little Accidents" exhibit of Ross' work, which was originally slated to show at the art gallery in March, will now be shown beginning July 4, education and program coordinator Carla O’Bee says.

Ross became well known as a soft spoken guy, famous for painting happy clouds, mountains and trees, thanks to his TV show "The Joy of Painting" which ran from 1983 to 1994, according to a Penticton Art Gallery media release. The show was one of the most recognized and watched TV art shows in history.

“We had to close down the gallery over COVID, but we’ve had the paintings here since March and we’ve rescheduled the exhibition to reopen on July 4,” O’Bee says.

The grand opening will take place from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4, with the gallery following social distancing protocols. The exhibition will run until Sept. 13.

“We had to rework the exhibition quite a bit. Originally we planned a big dance party with 300 people in the gallery, but now we can only do 50 at a time,” she says.

Guests will be able to line up along the back side of the gallery through the Japanese Garden with 50 people allowed into the gallery at a time.

Entertainment is planned for those waiting to get in, including a Bob Ross-inspired mural where guests can assist in the painting through a paint by number system.

O’Bee says there will be a DJ supplying music, as well as live music, and a certified Bob Ross instructor painting in Bob Ross-style outside. Three bubble shows by Bubble Wonders and beer supplied by Cannery Brewing will also be on hand for the grand opening of the exhibit.

“We hope people will come down and enjoy the show. It’s really unfortunate we had to cancel it in March, but I feel it’s going to be better than ever, with people wanting to get out and do things. We are also the first gallery in Canada to show his work. We’re really excited about it," O'Bee says.

Cost to tour the exhibit is a $5 minimum donation, which comes with a Bob Ross button.

See the Penticton Art Gallery website here for more information.

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