The legacy: Born on St. Louis Plantation near Plaquemine, Blondie Labouisse came to politics naturally: Her father, Edward James Gay, was a state senator after World War I. She didn't become politically active, however, until the 1939-40 gubernatorial contest, when she started ringing doorbells in the Garden District and the nearby St. Thomas housing development and found she liked it. She soon became a player in Democratic Party politics, serving on the party's State Central Committee for eight years, in addition to serving on other civic boards and helping establish such organizations as the Friends of the Library. A group she convened in her living room to work on such topics as teenage pregnancy, medical care and homelessness became known as Blondie's Bombers. Labouisse received The Times-Picayune Loving Cup for 1990; the selection committee's statement said, "Few show more care and compassion for the community and fellow man." The artist: Queen Hope Parker. The quote: "She believed in a lot of things that were not at all popular with her social group. This didn't daunt her in the slightest. Blondie would just plunge right in ... and things would happen." -- Liz McCarthy, a longtime friend and member of Blondie's Bombers Explore more of Parker's work online at WhereYart.net and in person at the Where Y'Art gallery, 1901 Royal St. TRI-via She acquired the nickname "Blondie," by which everyone knew her, when she was a Newcomb College student in the 1930s. When she passed the Kappa Alpha fraternity house on her way to class, she said members would call out, "Blondie Bombshell! Blondie Bombshell!" In deLesseps S. "Chep" Morrison's 1945-46 mayoral race as a reform candidate, Labouisse was part of the "broom brigade," a group of broom-brandishing women who provided one of the campaign's most indelible images as they marched up St. Charles Avenue, sweeping the street to show their desire to sweep out the incumbents. Morrison won. Labouisse was a delegate to the 1964 and 1968 Democratic National conventions. She organized talk shows on city and state issues for WYES-TV, whose headquarters was a building that her husband, the architect F. Monroe Labouisse, had designed. After the main library at Lee Circle was demolished to make way for K&B Plaza, Labouisse built support for a replacement with a group that became the Friends of the Library. The group successfully put pressure on Morrison to include a new library in a bond issue. In 1969, she ran for the City Council's District B seat. Labouisse was a president of the Independent Women's Organization. When Labouisse died, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu noted her death with a statement in the Congressional Record in which she described Labouisse as "the classic Southern woman who, when she saw something lacking in the community, would immediately step forward, roll up her sleeves, and set about making things right." | Read Full Story |
Artist + Queen Hope Parker
Follow this artistVisual artist specializing in oil portraiture, mixed media, beadwork, fashion, watercolor and pastel chalk. Over a decade of experience capturing history, people, nature, spirituality, and culture. Primary paternal inherited talent and self-taught with 1 Summer course at New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts in 2011. Exhibiting for major institutions including the Times-Picayune and NFL Players Association Foundation. Work held in private collections and public spaces across the United States. Some of these exhibitions include;
Pancakes and Booze Art Show in Brooklyn, NY July 2026, which is an Artist-led art show Running for 15 years with over 500 shows in 40 cities. Displaying 4 original art pieces and additional prints, accompanied by hundreds of artists, and several thousand attendees.
Super Fine Art Fair in Dumbo, NY April 2025, also an artist-led art fair exhibited several works on a 8-foot wall. Accompanied by 150 innovative international and national artist exhibiting, over 5,000 art enthusiasts, collectors, and industry professionals attend annually.
ArtExpo New York in Manhattan, NY April 2024, which is a gallery led expo, represented by AGI Fine Art Gallery, exhibited 3 original pieces on a 10-foot wall. Accompanied by 200 innovative international and national galleries, art publishers, and artists drawing over 15,000 art enthusiasts, collectors, and industry professionals, press, media, and trade buyers present.
Displayed at New Orleans largest Art Festival, represented by Duetsch Kerrigan LLP White Linen Night Artist Display in August 2024. Selected as a featured artist for New Orleans largest Art fest accompanied by one other selected artist of the year.
Repetitive Smocks and Jocks National NFLPA Annual Superbowl Art Auction February 2023-2025. Auctioning the highest bid art at the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Superbowl Art Auction each participating year.
A proud member Where Y'Art Works Artist Collective since 2017 based in New Orleans, La, selling several works at their art exhibits and online network. Selected as one of the 25 portrait artists for Times-Picayune NOLA Media 300 for 300 Art Series in 2018; creating 25 portraits of New Orleans influences to honor their contribution to the city's culture and heritage. Also exhibiting pieces at Dirty Lining Night Art Festival, the second weekend of the largest art festival in New Orleans, White Lining Night.
A Girls Scout Art Sip and Paint Instructor at Lake Forest Elementary Charter School Fall 2014 in New Orleans, La. Facilitated several Sip and Paint Courses to upper- and lower-class girl-scout members.
Exhibited at Ochsner Medical Center Art Walk February 2014 in Jefferson, La, displaying 13 signed limited giclee framed fine art prints. An Art Program was founded in 1995 as a part of the Healing Healthcare Environment initiative for patient care and healing environments through creative expression.
Some early career highlights were organizing independent art exhibitions entitled, Queen Hope Poetic Art Show, in New Orleans, La May and Aug 2013. Featuring poetry and art as the artist, and live themed music and cuisines.
Proudly sold my first completed professional painting to Orleans Parish Juvenile Court Chief Judge Candice Bates-Anderson 2011, now a part of my Homes Collection. It became the start of an ongoing collector-artist relationship, collecting several commissioned works, one being an oil portrait of her at her bench live during a trail, now hanging in Division-C Court Room, along with a (display hold) piece from the 300 for 300 Series piece, Edwin Hampton "Matching 100".
Last, but not least, have contributed back servicing volunteer work facilitating art courses at several home schools and community centers through the years.
Specializes in commissioned work for individuals, businesses, and corporations. Commission experience includes; Homes, portraits, installations, personalized innovative ideas, ideas from the Flower Field Collection and the Magnolia Swamps Collection.
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