Artist • Educator • Founder of Aya Fiber Studio
Suzanne Connors
Suzanne Connors is a fiber artist, educator, and arts leader known for her work in indigo, shibori, and surface design.
She is the Founder and Director of Aya Fiber Studio in Stuart, Florida—a nationally recognized destination for fiber art workshops and creative retreats—and the founder of Aizome Studio, her personal practice dedicated to Japanese textile traditions.
Her work brings together traditional techniques and contemporary textile practice, with a focus on process, material, and the disciplined repetition through which skill is developed.
Teaching, Workshops & Retreats
Suzanne teaches nationally at craft schools, museums, and art centers, and leads small-group retreats in North Carolina and Japan.
These programs are designed as immersive experiences, combining focused studio work with a deeper connection to place, culture, and material.
Selected Teaching Locations
Highlighted Selections are this current season- CLICK for more details
Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts — Gatlinburg, TN
Appalachian Center for Craft — Smithville, TN
Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance (SEFAA) — Chamblee, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association — Blue Ridge, GA
Carrboro ArtsCenter — Carrboro, NC
Foosaner Art Museum — Melbourne, FL
Lighthouse ArtCenter — Tequesta, FL
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens — Palm Beach County, FL
Madeline Island School of the Arts (MISA) — La Pointe, WI
Olive’s Porch (John C. Campbell Folk School Outreach Center) — Murphy, NC
River Ridge Retreat Center — Menominee, WI
Sanborn Mills Farm — Loudon, NH
Aya Fiber Studio — Stuart, FL & Murphy,
Press & Recognition
Fiber Art Now
Fiber Talk with Gary Parr
Canvas Rebel
VoyageMIA
Create Whimsy
Artsy Shark
Stuart Magazine
Recipient of the Marties Award from the MartinArts Council for outstanding contribution to the arts.
Studio & Practice
Through Aya Fiber Studio and Aizome Studio, Suzanne creates environments for immersive, hands-on learning.
Her teaching emphasizes indigo dyeing (aizome), shibori, katazome, eco-printing, and surface design—approached with cultural respect, technical understanding, and an emphasis on repeatable practice.
Workshops are intentionally small, allowing for meaningful instruction, access to professional studio equipment, and the development of individual voice through cloth.
Signature Techniques & Teaching Focus
Suzanne’s work explores the intersection of tradition, technique, and mindful practice.
She guides artists in engaging with the dialogue between craft and culture—honoring both the discipline and expressive freedom found in handwork.
Her workshops emphasize hands-on exploration, thoughtful process, and a deep respect for natural materials.
Areas of Specialization
Japanese Indigo Dyeing (Aizome)
Shibori (folding, stitching, binding, arashi techniques)
Katazome (paste-resist stencil dyeing)
Eco-Printing & Botanical Dyeing
Surface Design & Mixed Media
Selected press features and conversations
“I’m also honored to be featured in Create Whimsy’s Artist Spotlight Series.
In this interview, I share insights into my artistic journey—how I’ve navigated challenges, cultivated a creative practice, and continued to evolve as both an artist and educator.
Opportunities like this remind me of the importance of celebrating the creative process, sharing knowledge, and fostering community through the arts.
You can read the full interview here: https://createwhimsy.com/projects/spotlight-suzanne-connors-textile-artist/
#ArtistSpotlight #CreativeLeadership #TextileArt #FiberArt #ArtCommunity #LifelongLearning #ContemporaryTextiles
Suzanne Connors joins Gary Parr from Fiber Talk to explore shibori, natural indigo, and building community at Aya Fiber Studio. Listen and see upcoming workshops.
Suzanne Connors demonstrating traditional Japanese indigo dyeing (aizome) during a shibori workshop at Aya Fiber Studio in Stuart, Florida”
Leadership & Community Impact
Suzanne’s work extends beyond her studio into arts leadership and community development.
She is:
Founder & President — South Florida Surface Design Association (SFSDA)
Founder & Past President — Martin Artisans Guild
Founder — Martin County Open Studio Tour
She has also served on the Board of Directors for Silk Painters International (SPIN).
Curatorial Background
Before founding Aya Fiber Studio, Suzanne owned and directed two fine art galleries:
Sax Art Gallery — Saxapahaw, NC
Suzanne Connors Fine Art — Northwood Village, FL
Through these spaces, she curated exhibitions, represented artists, and developed community-centered programming.
Philosophy
“My goal is to give students authentic technique, deep context, and the confidence to keep creating long after they leave the studio.”
Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful skill develops through time, repetition, and engagement with material—where process becomes both discipline and discovery.
Artist Statement
My name is Suzanne Connors, and I am a fiber artist, designer, and educator dedicated to the timeless craft of textile art. While I’ve explored many creative media over the years, I always return to fiber — drawn to its texture, tactility, and its power to connect art, craft, and culture.
My work reflects my life in South Florida and my years spent in the Caribbean, where the rhythm of the sea, the glow of the setting sun, and the deep indigo blues of the sky and ocean continually inspire my palette. I am captivated by the element of surprise in shibori and indigo dyeing — the transformation that happens when cloth meets dye, and pattern emerges through process and chance.
Each piece I create is a study in color, texture, and transformation — a reflection of my belief that creativity, like life, is full of beautiful imperfection. I see every “mistake” as an opportunity for discovery and growth. That philosophy shapes both my art and my teaching: embracing experimentation, honoring tradition, and finding joy in the unexpected.
Every textile I make is a one-of-a-kind original, layered with process, patience, and the quiet magic of indigo.”
Contact & Collaborations
For workshop bookings, teaching invitations, residencies, or partnership inquiries, contact Suzanne directly.
info@ayafiberstudio.com
