Work samples

  • "In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate
    "In Honor of Her Honor" - Lace Collar/Warrior Breastplate, 1000 paper beads created from the dissenting opinions of Supreme Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

    With 400+ submissions and 88 pieces on exhibit, This piece won one of 6 Juror's awards from Juror Carol Sauvion, creater and producer of CBS's, Craft in America.
  • Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #2
    Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #2 - Reliquary made from items from my Father's desk after his passing including a lock of his hair.
  • The Cigarette Planet
    The Cigarette Planet is a 30" mache globe covered with cigarette butts picked up off the streets of Baltimore. Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.
  • Plastic Land - Marine Life Spread
    Spread from Plastic Land book illustrating ocean litter and the harm that can come to marine life as a result.

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 is… more

Earle Necklace

“Earle Necklace” is a neck piece / breast plate created in honor of Dr. Sylvia Earle, a world reknown  marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer. The piece is comprised of over 1800 paper beads cut from pages printed with text from Dr. Earle's book, “The World is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean’s are One.”
  • Earle Necklace Letter.jpg
    "Earle Necklace", Women Warrior Breastplate in honor of oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.
  • Earle Necklace Letter4.jpg
    "Earle Necklace", Women Warrior Breastplate in honor of oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.
  • Earle Necklace Letter5.jpg
    "Earle Necklace", Women Warrior Breastplate in honor of oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.
  • Earle Necklace Letter6.jpg
    "Earle Necklace", Women Warrior Breastplate in honor of oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.
  • Earle Necklace Letter3.jpg
    "Earle Necklace", Women Warrior Breastplate in honor of oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.

Jewelry - Sculpture

With only 6 years of metalsmithing as a growing hobby, I have developed a variety of work from sculptural to conceptual to everyday wearables. 

Each piece in this category is centered around a concept, involves a large number of parts/beads, requires elaborate planning and meticulous craftsmanship. 


  • "In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate
    "In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate, 1000 paper beads created from the dissenting opinions of Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

    With 400+ submissions and 88 pieces on exhibit, This piece won one of 6 Juror's awards from Juror Carol Sauvion, creater and producer of CBS's, Craft in America.
  • "In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate (Detail)
    "In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate, 1000 paper beads created from the dissenting opinions of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Detail.

    With 400+ submissions and 88 pieces on exhibit, This piece won one of 6 Juror's awards from Juror Carol Sauvion, creater and producer of CBS's, Craft in America.
  • In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate
    "In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate, 1000 paper beads created from the dissenting opinions of Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

    With 400+ submissions and 88 pieces on exhibit, This piece won one of 6 Juror's awards from Juror Carol Sauvion, creater and producer of CBS's, Craft in America.
  • In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate
    "In Honor of Her Honor", RBG Lace Collar / Warrior Breastplate, 1000 paper beads created from the dissenting opinions of Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

    With 400+ submissions and 88 pieces on exhibit, This piece won one of 6 Juror's awards from Juror Carol Sauvion, creater and producer of CBS's, Craft in America.
  • Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #1.jpg
    Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #1.

    My father died in 2017 the day before my 50th birthday. This piece feature a lock of his hair from the last haircut I gave him. It is made from items from his desk - a segment of his suspenders, one of his many defunct watches, a frame from his home, horseshoeing nails from his farrier work, a copper plate embossed with an oak leaf and a sample of his handwriting.
  • Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #1.jpg
    Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #1.

    My father died in 2017 the day before my 50th birthday. This piece feature a lock of his hair from the last haircut I gave him. It is made from items from his desk - a segment of his suspenders, one of his many defunct watches, a frame from his home, horseshoeing nails from his farrier work, a copper plate embossed with an oak leaf and a sample of his handwriting.
  • Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #2
    Reliquary for Vincent Parlato#2.

    My father died in 2017 the day before my 50th birthday. This piece feature a lock of his hair from the last haircut I gave him. It is made from items from his desk - a segment of his suspenders, one of his many defunct watches, a piece of his harmonica, segments of his folding ruler, a mold of his ear for his hearing aid, hearing aid batteries, one of his watch bands, a small tin container with a plastic window and a segment cut from his leather jack knife holder.
  • Reliquary for Vincent Parlato #2 (Detail)
    Reliquary for My Father (Vincent Parlato). My father died in 2017 the day before my 50th birthday. This piece feature a lock of his hair from the last haircut I gave him. It is made from items from his desk - a segment of his suspenders, one of his many defunct watches, a piece of his harmonica, segments of his folding ruler, a mold of his ear for his hearing aid, hearing aid batteries, one of his watch bands, a small tin container with a plastic window and a segment cut from his leather jack knife holder.
  • "Thoughts and Prayers" breastplate
    “Thoughts and Prayers” breastplate, a statement piece about mass shooting gun violence.

    Created from a Candy tin, children’s book cover used as bezel for gun and backing for top of tin with pages used between to create raised levels, a toy AR 15, a dollar bill with print, a dummy AR 15 bullet for clasp and reclaimed costume chain.
  • "Thoughts and Prayers" breastplate
    “Thoughts and Prayers” breastplate, a statement piece about mass shooting gun violence.

    Created from a Candy tin, children’s book cover used as bezel for gun and backing for top of tin with pages used between to create raised levels, a toy AR 15, a dollar bill with print, a dummy AR 15 bullet for clasp and reclaimed costume chain.

Jewelry - Upcycled work

Most of my work involves upcycled elements. I often use tins and old costume jewelry. These pieces utilize cold-connection methods for assembly. 

The production line pieces use fused plastic bags for their colorful portions with copper, brass and nickel for the metal portions and silver ear wires. 



  • Between the Little Cigars necklace / Juror's Choice Award
    Many of my piece incorporate vintage tins and old costume jewelry. These pieces utilize cold-connection methods for assembly.

    This piece was part of a group of pieces that won Juror's Choice award, created for Baltimore Jewelry Center's exhibition of Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM). RJM was a major undertaking, gathering used jewelry from the community, disbursing it to artists for reinterpretation/upcycling into new jewelry.
  • Premium Gal / Honorable Mention, Small Wonders Show
    Many of my piece incorporate vintage tins and old costume jewelry. These pieces utilize cold-connection methods for assembly.
  • Supreme Gal Necklace
    Many of my piece incorporate vintage tins and old costume jewelry. These pieces utilize cold-connection methods for assembly.

    This piece incorporates a Cutlass Supreme car emblem.
  • Extra Virgin Necklace
    Many of my piece incorporate vintage tins and old costume jewelry. These pieces utilize cold-connection methods for assembly.

    This piece incorporates a vintage floral tin and parts of an Extra Virgin Olive Oil container.
  • No Flac Necklace / Juror's Choice Award
    Many of my piece incorporate vintage tins and old costume jewelry. These pieces utilize cold-connection methods for assembly.

    This piece was part of a group of pieces that won Juror's Choice award, created for Baltimore Jewelry Center's exhibition of Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM). RJM was a major undertaking, gathering used jewelry from the community, disbursing it to artists for reinterpretation/upcycling into new jewelry.
  • Production Line - Grey Flap Earrings / So Fresh So Clean Juried Exhibition
    Production line pieces use fused plastic bags for their colorful portions with copper, brass and nickel for the metal portions, silver ear wires or purchased pendant cords.
  • Production Line - Part of Mica's Winter Art Market
    Production line pieces use fused plastic bags for their colorful portions with copper, brass and nickel for the metal portions, silver ear wires or purchased pendant cords.
  • Production Line - Mixed Styles of Earrings and Rings
    Production line pieces use fused plastic bags for their colorful portions with copper, brass and nickel for the metal portions, silver ear wires or purchased pendant cords.
  • Production Line - Flap Pendants
    Production line pieces use fused plastic bags for their colorful portions with copper, brass and nickel for the metal portions, silver ear wires or purchased pendant cords.
  • Production Line - Layered Pendants
    Production line pieces use fused plastic bags for their colorful portions with copper, brass and nickel for the metal portions, silver ear wires or purchased pendant cords.

Cigarette Planet Campaign

This campaign is part of an effort to fight cigarette litter in downtown Baltimore. The posters feature The Cigarette Planet - a 30" mache globe covered with cigarette butts picked up off the streets of Baltimore.

In partnership with the Environmental Control Board of Baltimore and Waterfront Partnership, a Keep America Beautiful grant was obtained to fund the effort. The images are also used on Terracycle cigarette butt recycling containers in the southeast area of the inner harbor. 
  • It's Just a Little Butt...The Most Littered Item on The Planet
    Poster featuring the Cigarette Planet and reminding smokers that despite butts being small, they are THE most littered item on the planet.
  • Flicking - You Think You Don't Litter...
    Poster taking on the practice of flicking cigarette butts.
  • I'm Not Telling You To Quit Smoking...
    Poster focusing on the difference between asking someone to quit their personal habit and asking them to not dirty the environment with it.
  • Your Butt, Your Bay, Your Plate...
    Poster making the association between what we litter and how it impacts what we eat (i.e. the health of our bodies) - especially in a city that is based on a bay and enjoys seafood FROM that bay.
  • Your Flicking is Sickening...
    Poster blatantly reminding smokers that their butts are leaching poisons into our water system, poisoning us and other living creatures that depend upon that water.
  • Butts Never Go Away
    Poster blatantly reminding smokers that butts are plastic and do NOT biodegrade.
  • Cigarette Butt Stickers in place in Baltimore's Inner Harbor
    Stickers in place on Terracycle cigarette butt containers in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
  • Terracycle Urn sticker graphics.
    Terracycle Urn sticker graphics.

Bag Ban Campaign

Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. These graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee. 

Over 30 finished graphics were supplied to the Baltimore Office of Sustainability for promotional use. 
  • Bag Ban Campaign - So Empty
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Campaign - One Thing and Then Another
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Campaign - Hanging Around
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Campaign - Feel Like Ocean Trash
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Campaign -On the Street
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Campaign - Microplastics
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Social Media Factoid - 12 Million
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Social Media Factoid - Ppl of Color small.jpg
  • Bag Ban retail flyer (front only)
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.
  • Bag Ban Campaign - Social Media Headers
    Graphics designed for the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to promote the bag ban in Baltimore city. Graphics utilize bright colors, simple layouts and tongue-in-cheek humor from the point of view of the plastic bag, reminding Baltimoreans that bringing and using reusable bags helps reduce litter, save animals and avoid a bag fee.

Keep it Neat from Stoop to Street - Litter Campaign

This campaign is in use in southwest Baltimore by The Southwest Partnership. The campaign approaches the litter problem with a neighborhood/team/pride approach instead of a "wagging-finger", don't litter approach, avoiding the defensive response that can happen when people are "told what to do".

The posters feature SWP residents who already work within their neighborhoods to keep their sidewalks and streets clean. 

I hope to have other neighborhoods adopt the theme/poster series and would like to use photographs of people in those neighborhoods to encourage personal investment. 
  • Keep it neat - When Everyone Meets (Street Scene)
  • Keep it neat - Pride Outside
    Poster encouraging investment in our public spaces.
  • Keep it neat - Take 10 with Friends
    Poster encouraging cleaning up with friends.
  • Keep it neat - Featuring Our Youth
  • Keep it neat - Featuring Our Youth
  • Take 10 Feet and Keep it Neat
    Take 10 Feet and Keep it Neat
  • Keep it neat - Care for Our Vacants
    Poster focusing on joining with neighbors in keeping areas in front of vacants neat.
  • Keep it Neat - 10 with Friends Down the Block
    Poster focusing on joining with neighbors on your block to clean up together.
  • Door Hanger - Stoop to Street
  • Keep it neat - Claim Your 10
    Keep it neat - Claim Your 10 focuses on a Neighborhood Hero known for taking care of her neighborhood for decades.

Four Alarm Art - Community Exhibitions Featuring Environmental Art

Four Alarm Art was formed to identify a rotating group of artists coming together to show work about environmental and biodiversity issues pre-covid. 

There were four exhibitions planned at Baltimore Meadworks, Creative Alliance, Maryland Hall and one additional location that was in negotiation. Three of the four exhibitions took place prior to the first covid shut-down in March of 2020. Maryland Hall and Creative Alliance suffered low attendance and early shut-down due to the pandemic. 

None of the exhibitions were funded so all work was volunteered by myself and two other artists, Lynne Parks and Blake Conroy. All promotional graphics were designed by me. 
  • Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend.
    Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend. This exhibition was unfunded and held as a free community event. All of my work was pro-bono, including planning, installation and marketing of this event. The event was held at Baltimore Mead Works.
  • Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend.
    Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend. This exhibition was unfunded and held as a free community event. All of my work was pro-bono, including planning, installation and marketing of this event. The event was held at Baltimore Mead Works.
  • Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend.
    Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend. This exhibition was unfunded and held as a free community event. All of my work was pro-bono, including planning, installation and marketing of this event. The event was held at Baltimore Mead Works.
  • Urban Wilderness Weekend Poster
    Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend. This exhibition was unfunded and held as a free community event. All of my work was pro-bono, including planning, installation and marketing of this event. The event was held at Baltimore Mead Works.
  • Poster for Art for the Earth Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend.
    Unnatural Causes / Art for the Environment Exhibition - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend. This exhibition was unfunded and held as a free community event. All of my work was pro-bono, including planning, installation and marketing of this event. The event was held at Baltimore Mead Works.

    This poster was designed for one of the accompanying events.
  • Poster for Summer Dance Party - part of Urban Wilderness Weekend.
  • Unnatural Causes Exhibition / Maryland Hall Gallery
    Unnatural Causes Exhibition / Maryland Hall Gallery - One of three exhibitions featuring environmental art (Meadworks, Creative Alliance, Maryland Hall). None of these shows were funded and all were free to the community in hopes of raising environmental and biodiversity awareness.
  • Unnatural Causes Exhibition / Maryland Hall Gallery
    Unnatural Causes Exhibition / Maryland Hall Gallery - One of three exhibitions featuring environmental art (Meadworks, Creative Alliance, Maryland Hall). None of these shows were funded and all were free to the community in hopes of raising environmental and biodiversity awareness.
  • Unnatural Causes Exhibition / Maryland Hall Gallery
    Unnatural Causes Exhibition / Maryland Hall Gallery - One of three exhibitions featuring environmental art (Meadworks, Creative Alliance, Maryland Hall). None of these shows were funded and all were free to the community in hopes of raising environmental and biodiversity awareness.

    Show involved over a dozen artists.
  • Four Alarm Logo
    Four Alarm Logo

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 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
    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
    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
    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.
  • River of Recyclables, Johns Hopkins - Visiting Student Volunteers
    This third River of Recyclables at the Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus. It was was part of a collaborative exhibition/event called Synergy - the thesis Project of Christopher Beer, a MFA candidate in Curatorial Practice at MICA. The exhibition/event explored the effects of litter in Baltimore’s water. It fused art & science to raise awareness and inspire discourse on environmental conservation.

    The project was backed by MICA, JHU, Waterfront Partnership/Healthy Harbor Initiative and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Nine area schools conducted can drives for the river and the public was offered 5 cents per bottle/can in the spirit of a bottle deposit bill.

    The schools were offered a presentation by Baltimore Trash Talk - which has become the backbone of BTT's present grant-backed school program (see BTT school program project).
  • River of Recyclables - (featured in Loyola Magazine)
    River of Recyclables at Loyola University. The picture is shown here on a page from Loyola's Conversations Magazine. The event took place on the main quad where a large portion of the student body passes between classes.

    Professor Janet Maher and Taylor Casalena, Program Assistant for Budget and Sustainability worked with students and faculty to prepare for the event day during which I worked with students and faculty to create the installation. In addition, I conducted presentations at the school in the months leading up to the event and I designed a body of posters (see Refuse One Use / Take Back the Tap Posters project).
  • Teaching Storm Drain Stenciling to Volunteers
    Storm drain stenciling in the Berea neighborhood.
  • Storm Drain Stenciling with Volunteers
    I designed a set of three decorative storm drain stencil sets and worked with groups of volunteers from Volunteering Untapped to stencil drains in the Berea neighborhood. Baltimore Tree Trust, Volunteering Untapped and Baltimore Trash Talk partnered to help create a garden in the center of a city block in Berea with Baltimore City School teacher, Alexis Wung.
  • Eye on Trash - Flash Art at Mr. Trashwheel Trash Count
    "Eye on Trash" Flash art during Trash Wheel count. While members of Volunteering Untapped counted through the trash from Mr. Trash Wheel's dumpster, I created a piece of art from the findings. As it is impossible to know what will be found on such counts, I had an inspiration the morning of the count while I was reaching into my medicine cabinet and saw an eye on the side of an eye-wash box.
    "Taking a good look" at or "keeping a 'green' eye" on our trash/litter was created with green soda bottles, styrofoam, cigar packs (a fave for blunts), straws, bags and cigarette butts.

Baltimore Trash Talk - School Recycling & Litter Program

Baltimore Trash Talk's School Recycling & Litter Program sprang from a series of presentations to students held during the Synergy Exhibition and River of Recycling Event (see Baltimore Trash Talk Rivers of Recycling - Artscape, Park & Colleges project).  The response to the presentations was so positive, I used the presentation materials and a costume I had designed for the Creative Alliance costume party (it was a winner!) and applied for grant funding to continue the in-school program.

I have now received two grants to continue the programming and expand on it. I am presently planning projects with the Orchkids program and Bard Early College.  Among others, I have presented to students at PPPCS, Tench Tilghman, Calvert School, The Baltimore Lab School, Hampstead Hill, Waverly Elementary, Benjamin Franklin High School...with more to come as utilization of the second grant is just starting. 

Presentations often include interactive exercises on population/pollution and conversations with the students about how our surroundings affect the way we think and feel - touching on stewardship, civic duty, city water systems, water quality and litter. 
  • Plastic Land - Book Cover
    This book spread is from "Plastic Land", a poem about our trash, where it goes, the problems it causes and how we can change our trashy habits.

    This poem has been read in classrooms, accompanying a presentation that highlights important points in the poem.
  • Parlato BTT School Program one page flier
    Flyer advertising Baltimore Trash Talk's School Recycling & Litter Program.


    I have now received four grants to continue programming and expand on it. . Presentations include interactive exercises on population/pollution and conversations with the students about how our surroundings affect the way we think and feel - touching on stewardship, civic duty, city water systems, water quality and litter.
  • Plastic Land - Incinerator Book Spread
    This book spread is from "Plastic Land", a poem about our trash, where it goes, the problems it causes and how we can change our trashy habits.

    This poem has been read in classrooms, accompanying a presentation that highlights important points in the poem.
  • Plastic Land - Marine Life Book Spread
    This is a draft illustration for a spread in the book "Plastic Land", a poem about our trash, where it goes, the problems it causes and how we can change our trashy habits.

    This poem was written last year for a Light City event and was so popular, I am creating a book from it. I have read it to classrooms and developed a presentation to go with it which highlights important points in the poem.
  • Plastic Land - "What is Away?" Book Spread
    This is a draft illustration for a spread in the book "Plastic Land", a poem about our trash, where it goes, the problems it causes and how we can change our trashy habits.

    This poem was written last year for a Light City event and was so popular, I am creating a book from it. I have read it to classrooms and developed a presentation to go with it which highlights important points in the poem.
  • Parlato - BTT School Program - Recyqueen costume
    Recyqueen Costume used for Baltimore Trash Talk's School Recycling & Litter Program sprang from a series of presentations to students. This costume was designed for the Creative Alliance costume party (it was a winner!) and breaks the ice with kids and adults alike. It is made from Ace Harware lawn and leaf bags, Walmart and safeway bags, paperboard product boxes, string, paperclips, duct tape and an altered shirt from Value Village.
  • Parlato Baltimore Trash Talk School Presentation - Patterson Park
    Baltimore Trash Talk's School Recycling & Litter Program - School Presentation. At the beginning of each presentation, the kids get to look at, touch and even try on elements of the RecyQueen costume.

    I have now received two grants to continue the programming and expand on it. I am presently planning projects with the Orchkids program and Bard Early College. Among others, I have presented to students at PPPCS, Tench Tilghman, Calvert School, The Baltimore Lab School, Hampstead Hill, Waverly Elementary, Benjamin Franklin High School. Presentations often include interactive exercises on population/pollution and conversations about stewardship, civic duty, city water systems, water quality and litter.
  • Parlato Baltimore Trash Talk School Presentation Slide - What Can You Do?
    Slide from Baltimore Trash Talk's School Recycling & Litter Program School Presentation.

    The presentation leads viewers in a short series of slides through the growth of world population in the last 50 years (my lifetime) and illustrates the growing problem of litter and plastic trash. This larger world view is then narrowed down to Baltimore, how problematic litter affects our city and what each one of us as individuals can do about it.

    This slide lists a number of things one can do to rethink, reuse, reduce and recycle.
  • AFYA Girls braiding for The Twirling Tent
    AFYA Girls braiding for The Twirling Tent
  • AFYA Summer Camp 2017Aug16
    AFYA summer camp students playing in a "Twirling Tent" that we created, reusing upcycled bags, sheets and plastic electrical tubing. While working with the students, we talked about topics like plastic pollution, water quality, the impact of a growing population on litter and ocean pollution and recycling, reusing and reducing what we use.

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
    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
  • 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
    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)
    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
    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
    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
    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)
    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.