MUNCIE, Ind. — What started as a simple question quickly turned to an attempt at a protest across the country. What does Bob Ross mean in a world that’s forgotten to slow down, look closer and imagine?
J.J. Weinberg is an artist who, since June of 2025, has been protesting across the country. This was started after a bill was passed that would stop federal funding for public media stations.
The artist visited Ball State campus on Oct. 11 with the hopes of creating a “Big Beautiful Bob Mob.” This was the second protest he had planned, encouraging other protesters to dress up like Bob Ross. His first group protest was in Chicago, where he and others marched to Trump Tower.
Weinberg visited Muncie since Ross filmed the majority of his popular television show, “The Joy of Painting,” near Ball State campus, which can now be visited at Minnetrista. The television show was made possible due to funding from PBS, a popular public media station. Without that funding, Weinberg believes Ross’ legacy is at stake.
“When we lose imagination, and we lose creativity – they say that authoritarianism is the result of a lack of imagination – the running out of ideas,” Weinberg said. “And so that is what we are pushing back against, so sometimes this might seem goofy, or it might seem trite, but this is our opportunity to kind of reach different places.”
On Oct. 29, which is Bob Ross’ birthday, Weinberg is attempting a “Million Bob March” in Washington, D.C. to gather more voices to fight for public media.
If you are interested in learning more about J.J. Weinberg’s story, you can visit https://www.happylittlehairdos.com.
Contact Payton Mucker with comments at payton.mucker@bsu.edu.
