BLANCHARD, Blanche Virginia, artist, harpist, singer, actress, poetess. Born, New Orleans, 1866; daughter of Capt. Dawson A. Blanchard; granddaughter of Maj. Gen. Albert Gallatin Blanchard. Married Charles Milo Williams. Children: Milo Blanchard Williams and Lavinius La Salle Williams. Early education in music, drama and the arts at the Academy of the Daughters of Charity and St. Joseph's Academy, both in Emmetsburg, Md. At the latter was awarded in instrumental music a premium of distinction, the highest honor. Later moved to Washington, D. C., studying painting under Andrews at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1888. Also copied paintings at the Corcoran and befriended President Grover Cleveland, of whom she painted an official portrait for the White House. Developed a soprano voice and sang and played the harp in concerts in Boston, Baltimore, and Washington. After returning to New Orleans studied with Charles Giroux and William Aiken Walker, thus becoming active in their artistic circle. Walker and other artists spent many evenings in the Blanchard home, and Giroux intermittently lived there. Similarly, after her marriage, the Williams' residence became a focal point for art and music in the city. Throughout her life was an extensive collector of art. Early member of the Artists' Association of New Orleans and in later years with her husband organized and directed the Literary and Musical Club of New Orleans. In 1884-1885 participated in the Exhibit of Woman's Work in the Louisiana State Department at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition. Beautified the pulpit of St. Alphonsus Church in 1890. Died, New Orleans, December 6, 1959. C.S.B. Sources: The Historic New Orleans Collection, Encyclopaedia of New Orleans Artists, 1718-1918 (1987); New Orleans Daily Picayune, April 23, 1894; New Orleans Times-Picayune, December 7, 1959.
BLANCHARD, Blanche Virginia, artist, harpist, singer, actress, poetess. Born, New Orleans, 1866; daughter of Capt. Dawson A. Blanchard; granddaughter of Maj. Gen. Albert Gallatin Blanchard. Married Charles Milo Williams. Children: Milo Blanchard Williams and Lavinius La Salle Williams. Early education in music, drama and the arts at the Academy of the Daughters of Charity and St. Joseph's Academy, both in Emmetsburg, Md. At the latter was awarded in instrumental music a premium of distinction, the highest honor. Later moved to Washington, D. C., studying painting under Andrews at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1888. Also copied paintings at the Corcoran and befriended President Grover Cleveland, of whom she painted an official portrait for the White House. Developed a soprano voice and sang and played the harp in concerts in Boston, Baltimore, and Washington. After returning to New Orleans studied with Charles Giroux and William Aiken Walker, thus becoming active in their artistic circle. Walker and other artists spent many evenings in the Blanchard home, and Giroux intermittently lived there. Similarly, after her marriage, the Williams' residence became a focal point for art and music in the city. Throughout her life was an extensive collector of art. Early member of the Artists' Association of New Orleans and in later years with her husband organized and directed the Literary and Musical Club of New Orleans. In 1884-1885 participated in the Exhibit of Woman's Work in the Louisiana State Department at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition. Beautified the pulpit of St. Alphonsus Church in 1890. Died, New Orleans, December 6, 1959. C.S.B. Sources: The Historic New Orleans Collection, Encyclopaedia of New Orleans Artists, 1718-1918 (1987); New Orleans Daily Picayune, April 23, 1894; New Orleans Times-Picayune, December 7, 1959.
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