Church, Tres Piedras, New Mexico - Photograph and words from Chris Sayler, a nurse

Chris Sayler spends part of her year in Clairmont, California, and part of her year in Taos, New Mexico. When she is in California, Chris works as a nurse in a maternity ward at Arcadia Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. Her hospital has Covid-19 patients and, although she is not entrusted with their care, Chris says the weight of responsibility and stress of her professional environment is nevertheless intense. She sometimes works the night shift on a floor with parents and babies, but no grandparents or other family members are allowed to enter the hospital to greet newborns or to help the tired new mothers. Everyone is wearing facemasks.

When Chris returns to New Mexico from California, she must remain quarantined for two weeks. She and her husband, Dave were recently at home in Taos on a welcome break. With nowhere else to go, and wanting to get out into the land, they took a drive north and west toward Chama. Stopping the car so that Chris could take this photograph, Chris and Dave suddenly became aware that it was the first time in weeks they had been outside without wearing gloves and a mask. They recognized the strange feeling of being in front of a beautiful, ancient adobe church where, under pandemic and in a period of deep spiritual need, no one is allowed to gather. Chris says it was a poignant event that she wanted to share with the Art Under Quarantine project.

Children are the hope of the future. When my daughter, Chelsea was born, I remember how comforting and reassuring the presence of a great nurse was. Thank you, Chris Sayler, for the important work that you do for women and families, and for being generous with your caring, compassionate, and competent spirit during these truly rugged times.

Words: Jada Griffin

Art Under Quarantine is a global, multi-media platform for creatives. We are diverse and inclusive, and we welcome your offering. If you’d like to join the conversation, email SOUL

Adobe Church, Tres Piedras, New Mexico. Photograph by Chris Sayler.

Chris Sayler, a nurse working in the maternity ward at Arcadia Methodist Hospital, Arcadi California.