Compassion Series
In appreciation of the essential workers during Covid-19
IN APPRECIATION
Essential workers put their lives on the line during a health crisis.
They work long hours, risking their own health, to provide food, services, and care to others.
Here is a deeper look at some of these essential workers’ personal journeys and experiences during Covid-19.
ARTIST STATEMENT
As Covid-19 has made our world tumultuous, essential workers have been steadfast in their commitment to move forward. Their commitment provides all of us with reassurance, comfort, hope, and confidence in every aspect or of our everyday life.
As an artist, I wanted to show appreciation to these workers. Especially the workers who might not get much attention and who few of us see working. The fact that they are performing essential work in ways and places that may not be readily visible does not make their work and their service any less important.
I asked each of these essential workers to share some of their personal experiences of working throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. I then translated the emotions that they shared, utilizing color, composition, textures, and different materials to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks.
My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all the essential workers.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE — Nadine McEvoy, General Manager, Wightman Farms, Morristown, New Jersey, wightmanfarms.com
“Right around March 18, 2020, our farm and food market felt the direct reaction of Covid-19,” said Nadine McEvoy, general manager of Wightman Farms. “After neighboring large (big box) grocery stores ran out of food, many people panicked, not being able to find groceries in the stores. Hundreds of people showed up on our market steps searching for food. Fortunately, we have great vendor relations and supply chains, as well as a large growing and food storage capacity on our farm. We were able to pivot quickly from a brick and mortar market to a drive in and pick-up farm, as well as setting up an online ordering system and delivery system.”
Nadine worked 18-to-20-hour days, starting with receiving deliveries in the morning. Her attention turned to fulfilment, vendor relations, and logistics during the day. She ended her days stocking shelves and prepping for the next morning. The whole team at the farm and market worked these long hours together. They were all taking action and doing what it took to help people.
Why did Nadine help? According to Nadine, “If we’re not here to help each other, why are we here?” She credits her parents and strong family ties for helping to create the values that she lives by today.
Nadine felt the impact of Covid-19 in her family as well as in her work. In February of this year, Nadine’s family had to help both of her aging parents (91 and 92 years old) navigate testing positive for Covid-19 at the same time. She and her sister were all hands on deck supporting and helping to care for them both. She reflected back on an especially tender moment when the hospital staff wheeled her mother into her father’s room. They were able to hold each others’ hands and see each other face to face. Fortunately both of her parents survived their battles with Covid-19.
Nadine also shared: “I feel compassion for the people that are really struggling, that have lost their jobs, possibly their homes and their worlds have become very volatile because of Covid-19. I feel blessed and full of gratitude. I feel fortunate, because during all of this chaos, our team deepened our connections and created new friendships and strength within our community.”
Intensity
(Portrait of Nadine McEvoy) | 48” x 48” x 1.5” | Acrylic on canvas
The swirling composition represents the controlled chaos that was happening as Nadine and her team responded to the high demand for food and new Covid-19 safety precautions. It also represents Nadine as an individual as well as her team and community coming together. The surface green colors evoke a healthy harvest of food and produce. The warm reds and oranges represent the intensity of the work. The base black colors represent the health challenges that Nadine’s family had to navigate with Covid-19 and the challenge of compounding fatigue from the long working days. The light grays, whites, and blues represent the levity of the bond of the team that came together.
Essential Workers by different sectors
- Food and agriculture
- Emergency services
- Transportation and Logistics
- Water and Wastewater
- Health Care/ Public Health / Human Services
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety, First Responders
- Energy
- Public Works
- Utilities and Community Services
- Communications and IT
- Financial activities
- Water and wastewater management
- Chemical sector
- Critical manufacturing
- Supply Chains
- Retail and Wholesaling
- Food Services and Accommodations
- Manufacturing and Production
- Construction
- Resources
- Environmental Services
- Communications Industries
- Research
- Justice Sector
- Business Regulators and Inspectors
- Other Community-Based Essential Functions and Government Operations
- Institutional, Residential, Commercial and Industrial Maintenance
