Virginia Chevalier Cook is a passionate woman who values the arts – and made sure that others around her had the chance do the same by founding the Bossier Arts Council. A loving wife, mother and a talented artist with a big heart, Cook helped shape art in Bossier City for generations to come.

How did you come to be the founder of the Bossier Arts Council? COOK: My husband retired from the Air Force, and we moved back to Bossier City. The welcome wagon came by, and I asked where I could get involved with my paintings. They told me there was only an opportunity for that in Shreveport. I thought about it for a year and decided that was ridiculous. There were artists in Bossier, too, who needed recognition and a place to go. So I had a meeting with a friend, who was a lawyer, and he took care of the rules and the regulations of the organization, and suddenly, we were legal! We got a grant for $3,000, and the city matched the amount. Within three months, we planned an art in the park festival and the community was ready. They volunteered and the first festival that we had was a big success. I don’t think a city is really a city unless there is art.

Q: How did having children play into your career choices over the years? COOK: I was a stay-at-home mother of two boys but also painted at home in a studio and taught art classes six times a week. It was very hard to juggle. But every evening after my last class, I would still make a full meal for my family. I was Suzy Homemaker! I thought if I was going to take time from my family to have a nighttime class and an afternoon class, then I was not going to neglect them.

Q: Would you do anything differently today? COOK: I don’t believe so. Everything happens for a reason, it really does.

Q: What is your advice to women in the working industry today? Especially those who struggle over whether to be stay-at-home/ work-at-home moms vs. outside the home career women? COOK: You don’t have to do everything. Most people have a passion, and that’s what you have to cling to. You must have an outlet for yourself. Over the years, I’ve seen so many people that were given a talent they were passionate about, but they kept putting it on the back burner. I have one art student who just started taking lessons a year ago, and she’s 89-years-old. I hear her say all the time how she regrets that she didn’t start sooner.

Q: What makes the Bossier Art Council special to you? COOK: It was a dream of mine, and now it’s come true. It makes me very happy every time I walk into the art council. We have a new exhibit up, and I see names of people I don’t even know – young people that are coming forth. It makes me very pleased to see how many people have been touched by the council and to see that the city has culture now – that’s so important.

Q: What is your favorite part of your day? COOK: Anytime I get to read. I love to read, and I also do creative writing.

Q: Where did you attend school? 

COOK: I attended Sercaosa in California, Bakersfield Junior College and eventually LSU, later in life. I went back to LSU after a bad [multiple sclerosis] attack stole my creativity. I was so upset and thought maybe if I was forced to work with my mind, my creativity would return. I was right! Attending college again helped give me back my vision of myself and showed me I wasn’t finished in life.

Q: What is a current personal goal you have now? COOK: I have an exhibit over at 1800 Prime [Steakhouse] a retrospect of my work. If you really want to know me, you’ll go to that show. My goal right now is to continue in that. We’ve had a tragic situation recently: My husband went blind, and I am his caretaker. It takes up a lot of time and is an adjustment for both of us. I hope to put more time into my art again soon.

Q: What is one lesson you have learned over the years? COOK: To face up to things that happen to you. I was diagnosed in 1987 with MS and dealt with that for years. It damaged my throat and vocal chords recently. A nerve was hit from the MS, and the body just turned on itself. I’ve also had three brain lesions, but I just keep hanging on. It makes me realize there is still tomorrow. No matter what tragic thing is going on, if you just keep your faith and look forward, things will work out.

–Betsy St. Amant