Step Into Bob Ross's Studio At The Bob Ross Experience In Indiana For A Happy Little Time
By Tori Jane|Published February 09, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Muncie, Indiana is a generally quiet, laid-back little place that folks don’t often think of when they think of pop culture. But, believe it or not, Muncie has quite the claim to fame: it’s the unassuming little town where a man by the name of Bob Ross filmed his smash-hit television series, The Joy Of Painting – and now, lovers of the show can visit the studio where all the magic happened way back when.
The Joy Of Painting ran on public access television from 1983 to 1994.
This new, permanent exhibit at the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens takes fans back to a nearly-identical replica of Ross's sacred painting space as it was during the run of the show. Located in the Lucius L. Ball house, this particular building is where the show was actually filmed.
It's a highly immersive experience, and guests can spend up to an hour browsing through Bob Ross artifacts.
The sold-out grand opening proved that this exhibit was very much in demand, and Bob Ross fans from all over the US came to enjoy it; many were even dressed as Bob, and a costume contest was held.
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Fans can check out Ross' actual brushes, his easel, and his palette - all safely tucked behind glass, of course.
Other artifacts are a lot more hands-on (literally). Try on one of Bob's shirts, flip through some fan mail, and truly bathe yourself in the experience.
Even the original cameras used to film the series are present, and by stepping in front of Bob's easel, fans have a few moments in which they fill his shoes.
A lot of people who have made it out to the exhibit have said it's quite a lot to take in; some became very emotional, as Bob Ross holds a very special place in their hearts.
Participate in classes by certified Bob Ross instructors, and marvel at 26 original paintings on-site.
Amazingly, Bob finished each painting during the course of an episode. He utilized no cutaways or breaks; the paintings he did on the show were finished in 27 minutes or less.
It's no secret that Ross was, is, and always will be a total legend.
Bob Ross passed away in 1995 at the age of 52 years, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of his fans and now, of course, in this permanent exhibit settled in quiet little Muncie, Indiana.
The exhibit is open to visitors Wednesday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, it's open from noon to 5:00 p.m.
It's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan your visit for later in the week. Minnetrista members get in for free, and it's $8 per adult for local residents. Children 3 to 12 years old are just $6.
