B AYO U I C O N
ONCE UPON A PILLOW
Rebecca Watson Vizard has spent a lifetime exploring. Although Rebecca’s childhood was spent in Tensas Parish in the tiny town of St. Joseph in northeast Louisiana, her parents saw to it that she had glimpses of the world beyond from an early age. This awareness of people and cultures beyond those most familiar laid the groundwork for a life’s journey that has taken Rebecca literally around the world. Once in college, Rebecca dreamt of living abroad working as an artist. Today, half of that dream has been realized. She is a fine artist specializing in textiles, and her art has made her a wellrespected name in interior design worldwide. However, she does not live abroad, nor is her successful company, B. Viz Design, located in Paris. Instead, Rebecca returned home and eventually established her company’s “Global Headquarters” on Plank Road in St. Joseph. Through her work and the work of others dedicated to revitalizing this charming old Delta town, Rebecca and the “downtown team” are helping St. Joseph come alive again. Because of her success in the fine arts, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her leadership in the revival of that special place she calls home, Rebecca Watson Vizard is our April BayouIcon.
ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POT TS PHOTOGR APHY BY K ELLY MOORE CL ARK
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ebecca Watson Vizard admits that St. Joseph and Lake Bruin are her favorite places in the world. That’s quite a statement from someone who has traveled so extensively. Although her life “plan” did not include returning to Tensas Parish in it, life – as it often does – took an unexpected turn. As a result, she and her Uptown New Orleans husband, Michael, moved “north” to become permanent residents in 1987. Michael eventually joined Rebecca’s late father, William Wade “Bill” Watson, at Cross Keys Bank and is now Chief Executive Officer. Rebecca confesses that moving back to St. Joseph was a struggle after so many years in larger cities. “That was not in my playbook,” she says. “Even so, I think the best part of my career journey was that move. It took me nearly four years to get comfortable with the idea, but I did. My business and that location transformed my mind and my spirit.” CHILDHOOD MEMORIES Rebecca was born to Bill and Ruth Harper, her mother a native of Shreveport. Rebecca’s parents reminded her of Barbie and Ken when she was a child, except her parents were brunettes. Rebecca’s parents were younger than most of her friends’ parents because many of her friends were younger siblings in large families. Still, Rebecca had some tangible advantages from being an only child.
92 APRIL 2022 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM
Both of her parents had successful careers -- Bill was a banker and Ruth was an English teacher. They also both loved traveling, and did so often. New Orleans was a favorite “local” destination, primarily because Bill had gone to Tulane University as an undergraduate and for law school, and Ruth had graduated from Newcomb College of Tulane. They often traveled farther afield, however, with their young daughter in tow. “I remember our family vacations were always to a different place because they wanted me to learn something new,” Rebecca says. When Rebecca was 11, her mother took her to Mexico to tour archeological finds. When Rebecca was 13, Ruth enrolled in a class in Oxford, England, and Rebecca went with her for 3 weeks. Rebecca admits to pouting about going because she wanted to play for a softball team in St. Joseph that same summer. “What a brat I was!” Rebecca recalls. “I can’t tell you how life changing that trip was even though I didn’t realize it until later in life.” At 15, Rebecca toured Austria, Switzerland, and Germany with her parents. She especially loved Salzburg and Vienna. “I loved the wonderful art there even though I didn’t know much about it. My travel bug had bitten.” Rebecca’s paternal grandmother, Roslyn Newell Watson, lived nearby and she and Rebecca were very close. When Rebecca graduated high school, Roslyn took Rebecca on a Mediterranean cruise. One stop was Ephesus, Turkey – a country that remains a favorite for Rebecca. “I remember watching a ruin being excavated.
