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About Bridget

Baltimore City

Bridget Parlato is a designer/artist/activist based in urban southeast Baltimore, MD.  She runs Full Circuit Studio as a freelance designer specializing in cause-related work. She also heads up Baltimore Trash Talk, an anti-trash activism initiative that works towards raising awareness and seeking behavioral change through digital and print campaigns, sculptures, public events, performances, installations and school outreach. 

Apart from her graphic portfolio, Parlato’s personal work… more

View Bridget's Resume
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Baltimore Trash Talk - Intstallations and Public Work

These installations and artworks have served to raise awareness of how much we litter, of our consumption of one-use/plastic items and our need for legislation and education regarding these issues. 

​Two of the Rivers of Recycling were advertised by myself and executed with the help of family, friends and volunteers. The data collected was used to testify in front of policy makers Annapolis in support of Bottle Deposit Legislation (take your bottle back to a store, get 5 cents back per bottle). 

Prayers for the Sea/ River of Recycling was installed at Artscape. A series of 100 18" flags in the fashion of Tibetan Prayer Flags were created from fused plastic bags and flown above the river. The River was executed with the help of Clean Corps and BOPA volunteers.

The River was again recreated at Johns Hopkins University as part of a thesis exhibition for MICA curatorial grad, Christopher Beer (See project pictures for further details/description). 

Other projects include flash trash creations during the trash wheel trash count and community storm drain stenciling. 
 

  • Prayers for the Sea - River of Recycling at Artscape
    Prayers for the Sea - River of Recycling at Artscape
    Prayers for the Sea Flags - Created for the River of Recyclables at Artscape 2015 - which focused on a water theme. They were part of a show called Harbor High Port (of call) and other Phenomenades curated by Laure Drogoul. 100 flags influenced by Tibetan Prayer Flags were created to fly above the river. The flags were comprised of fused plastic bags and had images of sea creatures cut into them or fused onto them. Plastic bags are one of the most littered items found on both land and in the oceans. The Artscape River of Recyclables was comprised of bottles and cans collected from 10 recycling bins placed by Baltimore Trash Talk as well as from trash cans at the event. The piece was accompanied by Baltimore Trash Talk posters shown on the Charles Street LED billboard in the near distance.
  • Prayers for the Sea - River of Recycling at Artscape -Aerial View
    Prayers for the Sea - River of Recycling at Artscape -Aerial View
    This River of Recyclables was established at Artscape 2015 - which focused on a water theme. It was part of a show called Harbor High Port (of call) and other Phenomenades curated by Laure Drogoul. This piece was comprised of bottles and cans collected from 10 recycling bins placed by Baltimore Trash Talk as well as from trash cans at the event. 100 flags influenced by Tibetan Prayer Flags were created to fly above the river. The flags were comprised of fused plastic bags and had images of sea creatures cut into them or fused onto them. Plastic bags are one of the most littered items found on both land and in the oceans. The piece was accompanied by Baltimore Trash Talk posters shown on the Charles Street LED billboard in the near distance.
  • River of Recyclables - Email about 5 cent Bottle Return event
    River of Recyclables - Email about 5 cent Bottle Return event
    Email showing pictures and results of the second 5¢ bottle and can return event. This event was 6 months after the first event and the total number of items returned more than tripled from 15K to 52K+. The first two river events were funded by BGE through a grant. I applied for the grant, planned the event, designed marketing materials for it and marketed it. I ran the event, enlisting the volunteer help of friends and family. The events were based on the container deposit laws in place in 10 States in the US. Those laws (aka. Bottle Bills) attach 5-10¢ to a beverage container at purchase. That fee is refunded when the container is returned to a store or return center. Bottle Bills increase recyling, reduce the need for virgin materials/energy used to create new ones and drastically reduce litter.
  • Baltimore Trash Talk Artscape - River of Recyclables / Prayers for the Sea - Installation 1
    This River of Recyclables was established at Artscape 2015 - which focused on a water theme. It was part of a show called Harbor High Port (of call) and other Phenomenades curated by Laure Drogoul. This piece was comprised of bottles and cans collected from 10 recycling bins placed by Baltimore Trash Talk as well as from trash cans at the event. 100 flags influenced by Tibetan Prayer Flags were created to fly above the river. The flags were comprised of fused plastic bags and had images of sea creatures cut into them or fused onto them. Plastic bags are one of the most littered items found on both land and in the oceans. The piece was accompanied by Baltimore Trash Talk posters shown on the Charles Street LED billboard in the near distance.
  • River of Recyclables - Flyer of Can Return Data
    River of Recyclables - Flyer of Can Return Data
    This is a flyer/infographic used as testimony/data in support of Bottle Bill legislation before the House and Senate in Annapolis. The events were funded by BGE and based on the container deposit laws in place in 10 States in the US. Those laws (aka. Bottle Bills) attach 5-10¢ to a beverage container at purchase. That fee is refunded when the container is returned to a store or return center. Bottle Bills increase recyling, reduce the need for virgin materials/energy used to create new ones and drastically reduce litter. Each person's bottles were counted, recorded, and used to create the above infographic.
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    • Once Upon Water - Residency, Toronto

    In May of 2023, I had the honor of being one of 14 international recipients of a 2 week residency entitled "Once Upon Water" at the Gibraltar Point Center for the Arts on Toronto Island in Canada. All artists were required to bring the theme of water into their creations. 

    I was accepted as a writer and explored water through poetry, photography, self-portraits and jewelry. 

    • Once Upon Water - Mayday Necklace
      Once Upon Water - Mayday Necklace

      Once Upon Water - Mayday Necklace

    • Mayday /The Precariousness of Our Predicament- a neckpiece of weathered paper boats imprinted with the repeated message, Mayday.
      Mayday /The Precariousness of Our Predicament- a neckpiece of weathered paper boats imprinted with the repeated message, "Mayday".

      Mayday /The Precariousness of Our Predicament- a neckpiece of weathered paper boats imprinted with the repeated message, "Mayday".

    • Mayday / Waterspirit #1
      Mayday / Waterspirit #1

      Mayday / Waterspirit #1

    • Mayday / Waterspirit #1
      Mayday / Waterspirit #1

      Mayday / Waterspirit #1

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    • Pollinators and Neonicotinoids

    This series of drawings focuses on the problem of neonicotinoid pesticides and pollinators. 
    Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse.  They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market. 
    • Parlato Pollinator Bird and Neonicotinoid Detail.JPG
      Parlato Pollinator Bird and Neonicotinoid Detail.JPG
      Drawing of a dead bird and a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
    • Dead Bird and Neonicotinoid Molecule
      Dead Bird and Neonicotinoid Molecule
      Dead Bird and Neonicotinoid Molecule
    • Parlato Pollinator Bird Feet and Neonicotinoid.JPG
      Parlato Pollinator Bird Feet and Neonicotinoid.JPG
      Drawing of a dead birdand a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
    • Parlato Pollinator - Bird Feet Detail
      Parlato Pollinator - Bird Feet Detail
      Detail - Drawing of a dead bird and a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
    • Bee Drawing (In Progress)
      Bee Drawing (In Progress)
      Drawing of a dead bee and a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
    • Parlato Pollinator bird 2.jpg
      Parlato Pollinator bird 2.jpg
      Drawing of a dead bird and a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
    • Parlato Pollinator Bee and Neonicotinoid.jpg
      Parlato Pollinator Bee and Neonicotinoid.jpg
      Drawing of a dead bee and a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
    • Parlato Pollinator Bee and Neonicotinoid Detail.jpg
      Parlato Pollinator Bee and Neonicotinoid Detail.jpg
      Drawing of a dead bee and a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
    • Dead Bees and Neonicotinoid Molecule (In Progress)
      Dead Bees and Neonicotinoid Molecule (In Progress)
      Drawing of a dead bee and a Neonicotinoid molecule. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that act on receptors in the nerve synapse. They are toxic to insects, mammals, birds and other higher organisms. Marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer, neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. In a report released a year ago, the EPA basically conceded the case that these pesticides harm bees and other pollinators. They still remain on the market.
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    • Baltimore Trash Talk Posters - Your Garbage Your Plate & Recycling

    • Poster - Your Garbage, Your Bay, Your Plate - Crab
      Poster - Your Garbage, Your Bay, Your Plate - Crab
      Posters from this series were used in: The Mayor's Townhall Meeting regarding trash, an exhibition called Synergy (the thesis project of MICA Curatorial graduate Christopher Beer) and Artscape 2015.
    • Poster- Water Skull / Change
      Poster- Water Skull / Change
      Posters from this series were used in: The Mayor's Townhall Meeting regarding trash, an exhibition called Synergy (the thesis project of MICA Curatorial graduate Christopher Beer) and Artscape 2015.
    • Parlato Baltimore Trash Talk - Poster Recycle Pie Chart
      Parlato Baltimore Trash Talk - Poster Recycle Pie Chart
      Posters from this series were used in: The Mayor's Townhall Meeting regarding trash, an exhibition called Synergy (the thesis project of MICA Curatorial graduate Christopher Beer) and Artscape 2015. Poster here is shown on Charles Street LED over the Prayers for the Sea River of Recycling at Artscape.
    • Poster - Your Garbage, Your Bay, Your Plate - Oysters
      Poster - Your Garbage, Your Bay, Your Plate - Oysters
      Posters from this series were used in: The Mayor's Townhall Meeting regarding trash, an exhibition called Synergy (the thesis project of MICA Curatorial graduate Christopher Beer) and Artscape 2015.
    • Poster - Your Garbage, Your Bay, Your Plate - Fish
      Poster - Your Garbage, Your Bay, Your Plate - Fish
      Posters from this series were used in: The Mayor's Townhall Meeting regarding trash, an exhibition called Synergy (the thesis project of MICA Curatorial graduate Christopher Beer) and Artscape 2015.
    • Poster - Worthless Trash? Think Again.
      Poster - Worthless Trash? Think Again.
      Posters from this series were used in: The Mayor's Townhall Meeting regarding trash, an exhibition called Synergy (the thesis project of MICA Curatorial graduate Christopher Beer) and Artscape 2015.
    • Poster - 12 Minutes - Plastic Bags
      Poster - 12 Minutes - Plastic Bags
      Posters from this series were used in: The Mayor's Townhall Meeting regarding trash, an exhibition called Synergy (the thesis project of MICA Curatorial graduate Christopher Beer) and Artscape 2015. Poster here is shown on Charles Street LED over the Prayers for the Sea River of Recycling at Artscape.
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    • Framework and the Organic

    The pieces in this section are a selection of works ranging from graduate school to present. There is a running theme of framework and an organic feel and style that runs through my work. I work in a number of mediums including digital art, ceramic sculpture, varying types of collage and jewelry making.  

    The large sculptural pieces here are from my Master's Exhibition and at present, I am learning jewelry making techniques. Over the course of my career, time and space constraints have made creating very large pieces prohibitive (unless the work is of a temporary nature such as the Rivers of Recycling).  In addition, a need and wish to let go of material things and simplify has become increasingly important as well as increasingly challenging, being a maker. As a result, the form, size and nature of my work has become smaller, invited use or served a cause-related purpose. 

    In the past 4+ years of running Baltimore Trash Talk and Full Circuit Studio, I have actually created more work in a variety of mediums than I previously created while employed full time by a local corporation. I have also found that I have created more meaningful and purpose-driven work. 




    Predators or Prey? - The Outside (Bug Girls)

    Predators or Prey? was a solo exhibition investigating the way women are encouraged to present themselves on the outside while trying to figure out who we are on the inside.

     The show contrasted two sets of digital collages. The first group examined women comprised of magazine parts and depicted as insect specimens with latin names. These specimens had no vs. my views of myself as influenced by my own experiences as a woman, daughter and mother who grew up in a home where my mother suffered from clinical depression for most of my life. 
    Hints at that depression surface in most of the self portraits. "Blue" speaks more softly of depressions tendencies to draw one to the bed to sleep and escape while shock treatment head gear and representations of electric current are apparent in "Which Ones Are These?". 

    Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate?   Influence, impact,  process,  fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? Such questions are the basis for this collection of images that investigate person and persona.  Through gritty interior portraits and slick specimens from the grocery check-out rack, the artist examines self and sexuality on the feminine front. 
    • Predators or Prey - Divitis Illecebrosa Praemium
      Predators or Prey - Divitis Illecebrosa Praemium
      Rich, Attractive, Prize. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Ambitiosa Carisa
      Predators or Prey - Ambitiosa Carisa
      Artful, Sly, Showy. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Artificiosus Opima Pomi
      Predators or Prey - Artificiosus Opima Pomi
      Skillfully Crafted, Fertile Fruit. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Appetitio Aviditas Aranea
      Predators or Prey - Appetitio Aviditas Aranea
      Aspiring, greedy, spider. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Blandior Delicata Intacta
      Predators or Prey - Blandior Delicata Intacta
      Flattering, Frivilous Virgin. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Cinaedius Illecebra
      Predators or Prey - Cinaedius Illecebra
      Lewd, Immodest Enticement. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Sireneus Corum Edax
      Predators or Prey - Sireneus Corum Edax
      Greedy, Voracious, Direct Siren. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Avaritia Cupidis
      Predators or Prey - Avaritia Cupidis
      Greedy Lover. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey - Ancilla Artificiata Daedala
      Predators or Prey - Ancilla Artificiata Daedala
      Artificial Skillfully crafted Maidservant. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
    • Predators or Prey? - Formidulosus Trepidans Libidinis
      Predators or Prey? - Formidulosus Trepidans Libidinis
      Terrible, Anxious Lust. “Passive or powerful? Authenticity or artifice? Victim or vixen? Self-reliant or subordinate? Influence, impact, process, fabricate, display - what shapes who we are and how much is choice? These digital images are from a solo exhibition called “Predators or Prey?”. The show’s gritty self portraits portray the interior of the artist as a person,while the insect influenced images (comprised wholly of women’s magazine imagery) represent women as specimens created by the dictates of contemporary mainstream media. Person vs. persona.
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