GRASS VALLEY, Calif. April 29, 2019 – Local artists, Mindy Oberne and Roger Lewis, are having an art fundraiser Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19 from 10am to 5pm, at 13169 Twin Star Lane, their Grass Valley home. All proceeds will be donated to the Grass Valley Free 2-day Health Care Clinic being held in January 2020 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Longtime residents, Mindy and Roger, have made their living in the art world for many years and have a permanent gallery of their works on their property. Three expeditions to Antarctica, via helicopter-equipped Russian icebreakers, have created incredible images of wildlife and scenery rarely captured. “Forty years of Nevada County living have allowed us to photograph the historic local architecture and the beautiful four seasons we experience in these foothills,” said photographer Roger Lewis.

Retired after thirty-five years of designing and selling handbags, Mindy has been creating functional and decorative ceramics for over nine years. “I started working with clay when I retired and wanted to just play again”, said Mindy. “I am amazed at the endless possibilities there are with this medium. I do some work on the wheel, but my favorite is hand-building. My artichoke teapot was chosen by the Kamm Teapot Foundation to be in their collection. I also instruct in hand-building at my home.”

The 2-day free health clinic, January 11&12 2020, will be provided by the California CareForce, and hosted by United Way of Nevada County. Services will include medical, dental and vision care. Free prescription glasses will be made on-site. Dental xrays, cleanings, fillings, and if necessary, extractions will be provided. All these services will be available to all, free, no questions asked. For information on donating and volunteering go to uwnc.org or for patient info go to CaliforniaCareForce.org.

In 2015, the California CareForce provided a free clinic for Grass Valley at the Grass Valley Veteran’s Hall. Over 550 patients were served with almost $250,000 worth of services provided. “We’re very luck to have the CareForce help us again. They have 2 large annual clinics in Coachella and Sacramento, but rarely make it to small communities like ours.” said Mindy.

“It’s very sad that in a country as rich as ours, there are so many who are suffering because they are unable to afford basic health care such as dental and vision.” said Roger. “That’s why we feel it so important to support this clinic. We encourage all to do the same.”

To view a video of the gallery, go to www.youtube.com and search for Mindy Oberne. For more information about the gallery, contact Mindy and Roger at moberne117@gmail.com.