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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
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

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.

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About Bridget

Baltimore City

Bridget Parlato's picture
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

Jewelry - Sculpture

With only 4 years of metalsmithing work, I have developed a variety of work from sculptural to conceptual to everyday wearables. 

Each of the pieces in this category are centered around a concept, involve a large number of parts/beads, require 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
    "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 (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
    "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
    "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
    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
    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 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
    “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
    “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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 -  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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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

The Cigarette Planet is a 30" mache globe covered with cigarette butts that I picked up off the streets of Baltimore.

Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet. They are made from plastic and after smoking, the filters are filled with harmful chemicals that then leach into our soil and water when flicked on the ground as litter. 

This sculpture is very attractive to viewers who feel compelled to come closer and even touch it, intrigued by what they are looking at - until they realize what they are seeing/touching are littered butts. 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are littered worldwide each year. 

  • Cigarette Planet - Paper mache phase

    Cigarette Planet - Paper Mache stage
    In studio applying heavy-duty mache to planet. Mache included paper pulp and joint compound, making it extra-hard, sandable and able to withstand physically moving the piece around.
  • Cigarette Planet - Butt pickup, bio-retention swale, Inner Harbor, Baltimore MD.

    Cigarette Planet - 2400 butts picked out of the bio-retention swale directly across from Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the Aquarium. The heat was horrendous - upper 90's. the job took 4 hours or so - roughly picking up a cigarette butt every .16 seconds. For four hours straight. This was only ONE of my cigarette pickup expeditions on my way to the 12K butts used for the Cigarette Planet (see www.fullcircuitstudio.com).
  • Cigarette Planet - Butt pickup, bio-retention swale, Inner Harbor, Baltimore MD.

    Baltimore Bio-retention swale pickup. 1 butt every 6 seconds for 4 hrs.
    Cigarette Planet - 2400 butts picked out of the bio-retention swale directly across from Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the Aquarium. The heat was horrendous - upper 90's. the job took 4 hours or so - roughly picking up a cigarette butt every 6 seconds. For four hours straight. This was only ONE of my cigarette pickup expeditions on my way to the 12K butts used for the Cigarette Planet (see www.fullcircuitstudio.com).
  • Cigarette Planet - Sorting Butts by color

    Cigarette Planet - Sorting Butts by color
    After gathering cigarette butts for a number of weeks through the heat of early summer, I had to sort the butts by color in preparation for gluing them to the mache planet.
  • Cigarette Planet - Map creation and application phase

    Cigarette Planet - Map creation and application phase
    A map of the earth was created from an online image of a map pattern. The image was extremely small but the layout was well suited for the purpose. With some extensive prep in photoshop and illustrator, the map was cleaned up, scaled up. printed and used as a transfer pattern. Graphite was applied to the back of each segment and laid against the globe. Then the continents were traced, transferring the linework to the surface of the globe.
  • Cigarette Planet - Mosaic phase

    Cigarette Planet - Mosaic phase
    The mosaic phase of the Cigarette Planet involved gluing each butt (or segment of butt) on one at a time as one would create a tile mosaic. In this picture, the filled in graphite transfer is visible as a guide and cut segments of butts are evident in the creation of continent shapes. The glue needed to be tacky enough to stick instantly but still be repositionable for a short amount of time for correct placement.
  • Cigarette Planet Social Media Info-graphic

    Cigarette Planet Social Media Info-graphic
    This social media info-graphic shows varying stages of the creation process as well as information on timed butt pick-ups. It was used on Baltimore Trash talk instagram, linked-in and Facebook.
  • Cigarette Planet - Baltimore Figment Festival

    Cigarette Planet - Baltimore Figment Festival
    Instagram posting of Cigarette Planet at Baltimore Figment Festival in Carroll Park in Baltimore, MD. This was the first festival where The Cigarette Planet has been on view. Since this festival, The Planet has appeared at the DC Catharsis on The Mall, The Lauraville Festival, Southwest Palooza, Library Square, WTMD Radio Station, the Creative Alliance Art to Dine For series and other environmental festivals, tabling events and venues.
  • Cigarette Planet - Baltimore Figment Festival

    Cigarette Planet -  Baltimore Figment Festival
    Instagram posting of Cigarette Planet at Baltimore Figment Festival in Carroll Park in Baltimore, MD. This was the first festival where The Cigarette Planet has been on view. Since this festival, The Planet has appeared at the DC Catharsis on The Mall, The Lauraville Festival, Southwest Palooza, Library Square, WTMD Radio Station, the Creative Alliance Art to Dine For series and other environmental festivals, tabling events and venues.
  • Cigarette Planet - Final Mosaic

    Cigarette Planet - Final Mosaic
    This image is of The Cigarette Planet after finishing the final mosaic process.

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. 

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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 retail flyer (front only)

    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

    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. 

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. 

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • River of Recyclables, Johns Hopkins - Visiting Student Volunteers

    River of Recycling, 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.
  • River of Recyclables - (featured in Loyola Magazine)

    Parlato BTT River of Recyclables - (featured in Loyola Magazine).jpg
    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.
  • Teaching Storm Drain Stenciling to Volunteers

    Teaching Storm Drain Stenciling to Volunteers
    Storm drain stenciling in the Berea neighborhood.
  • Storm Drain Stenciling with Volunteers

    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 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.

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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.
  • Parlato Baltimore Trash Talk School Presentation Slide - What Can You Do?

    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 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.
    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

    Drawing of a dead birdand a Neonicotinoid molecule.
    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.
    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

    Drawing of a dead bird and a Neonicotinoid molecule.
    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
    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.
    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.

Bridget's Curated Collection

This artist has not yet created a curated collection.