Together/ Apart: The COVID-19 Community Memory Archive

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"Liberty for All" Painting

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

Collection: Artwork and photography

"Nineteen"

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

Collection: Artwork and photography

"Tengo Ansiedad, mom"

Feelings of a 21-year old Mexican-American in quarantine.

Tags Student reflections

Collection: Writings, recollections, and musings

"The New Norm" Paintings

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

Collection: Artwork and photography

#StayHomeSD awareness campaign launched

San Diego County launches #StayHomeSD awareness campaign encouraging San Diegans to stay at home, maintain social distancing and wear facial coverings.

Collection: No Collection

#ThankANurse Painting

Being sent home from CSUSM with instructions to work from home, I was caught by surprise but I thought this would be a nice change of pace and I could find some free time to create my art. What I didn’t know was we’d be home far longer than I expected and the Stay-at-Home quarantine orders was not only coming from our university but also from our state and nation. The news on my television blared and it was nerve wrecking to hear but we couldn’t refrain from listening to it. The excitement in the voice of all newscasters made my heart beat a little faster and the news was creating quite a panic for all. It was not only in our local region but it was global!

I am a double CSUSM graduate and my research and practice has been focused on the arts and mental health. I also teach art healing courses through the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care so I knew what I needed to do. I started by coping mechanisms by sketching rough drafts and dooldes in my sketchbook. It depicted what I was hearing on the news and the stress I was feeling. Then, we were told to wash our hands all the time but now we needed to wear a face mask everywhere we went? Wow, how is this happening in 2020? From sketching in my books and journals, I’d find time to paint in the evenings and on the weekends after spending long periods of time on the computer. Afterall, all communication was now via something called Zoom? What in the world is Zoom, I thought. When I was growing up, my parents taught me and brothers to go outside and play, “get away from the television, it will make you go blind”, they say.

From working in sketchbooks to painting in a small room at home, I wanted to get out. I needed fresh air and sunshine but where could I go without having to wear a mask or be near people? I took a lot of hikes and did some gardening with my husband. This inspired me to paint more. I also had the opportunity to paint an outdoor mural on a wall located in Oceanside, California, at the Muramid Art & Cultural Center founded by my friend and community partner, Joanne Tawfilis. We painted animals and nature on outdoor walls and they were to enclose a cultural garden.

Our nation’s political status was (and still is) a brewing hot pot and stress continues to grow. So many questions, so many uncertainties drove me to create more so I could process what was happening. I painted flowers and nature, colorful animals and people. I painted national symbols and the crisis we are experience during a pandemic. Art is the tool I use, to help me process, connect and communicate with other and to cope through this crisis.

This Covid19 pandemic continues, our global crisis’ continue, so I continue to create.

#ThankANurse
#ProtectOurEarth
#HumanityandLove
#Covid19Sucks
#StayAtHome
#WearAMask
#LovePrevails
#ArtHeals
#MakeArtNotWar

Collection: Artwork and photography

1 of 14 people in United States tests positive

One out of every 14 people in the county has tested positive. Over the past week, San Diego County has averaged 2,042 new cases and 38.9 new deaths per day. The number of confirmed infections is currently doubling every 73.9 days.

Collection: No Collection

1,000,000 deaths worldwide

The number of deaths linked to COVID-19 worldwide crosses the 1 million mark, according to The New York Times, surpassing the deaths caused by HIV, dysentery, malaria, influenza, cholera, and measles combined in 2020.

Collection: No Collection

100,000 cases in California

California reports 3,215 new coronavirus cases, breaking the previous day’s record and crossing the 100,000 total cas threshold. More than half of the day's cases come from Los Angeles County.

Collection: No Collection

200 Americans land at March Air Reserve Base.

Escaping the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, around 200 Americans land at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, where they are to be held for three days.

Collection: No Collection

200 protest at San Clemente pier

Approximately 200 people gather at a San Clemente pier to protest the fact that they are still expected to shelter-in-place. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department arrests four people for trespassing.

Collection: No Collection

6 months with no hugs & pets

Pixie & I were a team with Love On A Leash for 11 years going to many places to make people feel better. That included CSSM Pause for Paws.

Back in late Nov. 2019 I was diagnosed with Leukemia. After a month in the hospital I returned home & was placed on restricted visits since I was immune comprised. Then the Corona virus hit and I was really put on lockdown. That has meant Pixie, my therapy dog is home bound also. I know she misses her calling even though she can't tell me other than looking at me with sad eyes.

So many lives have been impacted by no visits from therapy dogs across the country. Here it is almost May and we are still on lock down. It will probably be months yet before therapy dogs can go out & do their magic. Care facility, schools, libraries, & camps will be last to resume.

Pixie is 14 now, so maybe her & I will not be able to return when things reopen. 11 years of making people smile is bitter sweet.

Collection: Artwork and photography

A simple equation

David Barsky, Mathematics faculty holding a handmade sign that states "CSUSM Mathematics as simple as [math equation]." Palm Canyon Drive.

Tags California State University San Marcos, CSUSM 2020 Commencement

Collection: Artwork and photography

After the parade

In the parking garage to clean up our cars in the shade. Left to Right: Caitlin, Emmalyn, Michael Tobin. Sign by car reads "Class of 2020 Congrats CSUSM Graduate."

Tags California State University San Marcos, CSUSM 2020 Commencement

Collection: Artwork and photography

Are you practicing social distancing? Why or why not? If yes, what are you doing? How do you stay in touch with family and friends?

Excerpts of replies to the question "Are you practicing social distancing? Why or why not? If yes, what are you doing? How do you stay in touch with family and friends?" from guided questionnaires submitted to Together/Apart: The COVID-19 Community Memory Archive.

Tags Government and governance, Student reflections

Collection: Writings, recollections, and musings

Around the Corona Neighborhood

All around the neighborhood we have these posted on mail boxes. Each is a different exercise or yoga pose. Sign says "Great to see everyone out walking! I'm posting some standing excercises [sic] to keep it interesting. Please feel free to post your own as well. Modify as need [sic] to your own ability level. ** Remember the 6 feet of social distancing! **"

Collection: Artwork and photography