The Quarantine Companion, which was launched in March 2020 as a response to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, expanded outreach efforts as a result of a commission from the Office of Public Art in Pittsburgh.

We installed three pop-up vending machines in Pittsburgh that dispensed kits for making a companion. As the coronavirus pandemic required people to stay home, many experienced feelings of anxiety and isolation. This project offered a way for participants to make a friend for themselves or a loved one while staying socially distant. 

We assembled kits containing a needle, thread, googly eyes and instructions. Using fabric and other materials found at home, participants sew a quarantine companion and share pictures via email or on Instagram using the hashtag #TheQuarantineCompanion. Kits were located at the following locations:

Millvale, PA at 216 North Ave, Millvale, PA 15209

Assemble at 4824 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh 15224

Rivers of Steel Bost Building at 623 E 8th Ave, Homestead, PA 15120

Brewhouse Association at 711 S 21st St #210, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

We created an online gallery of the companions on this site. Click here to view. This will continue to be updated as more companions are completed.

Anyone with a needle and thread is welcome to participate.

The Quarantine Companion is a project of Sculpture Support System and was commissioned by the Office of Public Art through the Artists Bridging Social Distance in the Public Realm initiative.