Suzanne Connors: Fiber Artist, Teacher, Workshop Leader, and Studio Owner

Suzanne Connors is a fiber artist with a diverse background that includes interior design, construction project management, and serving as the owner and director of a fine art gallery. Her passion for art and textiles has been a constant throughout her career. Since 2008, Suzanne has actively maintained a fiber art studio, where she creates vibrant works that reflect her academic foundation in architecture and design. Suzanne specializes in traditional Japanese Textiles, emphasizing attention to detail and a structured approach in her creations. Her work is rooted in the principles of combining simple techniques, exploring textures, and employing design repetition. Through her artwork and workshops, Suzanne enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for texture, color, and pattern with others.

I’m 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

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My name is Suzanne Connors, and I am a Fiber Artist!

I love art and have always enjoyed making it. I have tried many different media but always return to fiber and textile art. I am a seamstress and a designer, and I have always been intrigued by textiles, especially if the fiber has a beautiful texture that makes you want to reach out and touch it! I love layering colors and combining different tactile fibers.

My work is inspired by my life in South Florida and my time living in the Caribbean islands. I am drawn to the colors of a setting sun and the indigo blues of the sky and the sea.

What I love about fiber art is the surprise element, the mixture of the fabric, and the way that the dye and the resist create different combinations and patterns that are only revealed at the final step. The magic when the freshly dyed indigo comes out of the vat and turns from green to blue right before your eyes! It is always a surprise when I unwrap a freshly dyed piece of fabric- like opening a Christmas gift! Another thing I love about fiber is that there are no "mistakes"! It is just like life; everything is always subject to change, and mistakes lead to growth in my art. The imperfections are all part of the creative process.

I am always learning new techniques and experimenting with them. Every piece I create is a unique one-of-a-kind original!

Teaching Experience & Workshop Inquiries

Suzanne Connors is an accomplished fiber artist and educator with extensive teaching experience at renowned art institutions across the United States. She has taught workshops in studio practices and professional techniques at:

  • Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts (Gatlinburg, TN)

  • River Ridge Retreat Center (Menominee, WI)

  • Carrboro ArtsCenter (Carrboro, NC)

  • Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens (Palm Beach County, FL)

  • Foosaner Art Museum (Melbourne, FL)

  • Lighthouse ArtCenter (Tequesta, FL)

  • Appalachian Center for Craft (Smithville, TN)

  • Olive’s Porch, a John C. Campbell Folk School outreach center (Murphy, NC)

  • Aya Fiber Studio (Stuart, FL & Murphy, NC)

At her own studio, Suzanne hosts a vibrant workshop program featuring nationally and internationally recognized guest instructors, drawing over 500 students annually from around the country.

She is the founder and past president of the Martin Artisans Guild, a former board member of Silk Painters International (SPIN), and currently serves as the South Florida regional representative for the Surface Design Association.

Now Booking Summer & Guest Teaching Opportunities 2026/2027

Suzanne is currently based at Aya Fiber Studio, where she teaches year-round, but is available for off-site workshops during the summer months and by special arrangement during the other months.

She welcomes inquiries from national and international venues, guilds, retreat centers, and institutions. Workshops can be held at most locations, provided that specific space and equipment requirements are met.

🔧 Venue hosts are responsible for procuring dyes and auxiliary materials (a detailed supply list will be provided).

📩 For availability, requirements, or to discuss a customized workshop, please contact Suzanne directly

Visit Suzanne Connors at The Aya Fiber Studio in Stuart Florida as she explains the indigo and shibori fiber techniques she uses to create her work.

Portfolio of completed works

Follow me on Instagram @ayafiberstudio/ for behind the scenes and more about my process

Professional Affiliations: