FASA Presentation / Workshop: April 13, 2026, S. A. Garden Center

Curious about AI, but not sure how it fits into a fiber art practice?

This welcoming, artist-centered presentation is designed especially for Fiber Artists of San Antonio—focused on practical use, creative control, and real studio benefits (not tech hype).

We’ll look at AI the way artists have always looked at tools: as something that can support your process without replacing your hand, your voice, or your intuition. Think of AI as a talking sketchbook, a digital design wall, or a studio assistant—one that can help you explore ideas safely before you cut cloth, dye yardage, or commit hours to stitching.

AI as a creative and productivity partner

Participants should understand that AI tools aren’t just curiosities — they can actively support brainstorming, prototyping, summarizing, and task automation across creative workflows. You’ll learn when and how to leverage AI to enhance creativity and efficiency, not just generate outputs.

Hands-On Workshop: Build Your Personal “AI Studio Companion” System

Lyn Belisle, Andre and Virginia Bally
April 13th (after the program) 12:30-2:30, San Antonio Garden Center
LIMIT 12 Students, Tuition $45

Ready to go deeper? This in-depth, two-hour workshop is for fiber artists who want hands-on support designing an AI-assisted system that truly fits their studio practice. Participants will bring their own laptop or tablet and work step-by-step through creating an approach that supports both inspiration and organization—without losing the heart of handmade work.

We’ll start by identifying where you most want help: generating ideas, exploring variations, planning a series, organizing materials, writing about your work, preparing for shows, or simply reducing studio overwhelm. Then we’ll work in two directions:
1) Text-to-Image for Fiber Artists: Learn how to write prompts using fiber language—texture, process, materials, mood. We’ll explore concept sketches, palette testing, repetition and rhythm, and how to translate AI images into handwork without copying or flattening your style.
2) ChatGPT for Studio Practice: Build practical tools you can keep using—project breakdowns, timelines, exhibit prep lists, inventory systems for fabric/yarn/scraps, gentle routines, and writing support for statements or descriptions. You’ll leave with personalized prompts and templates you can reuse immediately.

TO PARTICIPATE please bring:

• Laptop (strongly recommended) — this gives the most flexibility for web-based AI tools.
  You may also use a Tablet or iPad — great for note-taking, sketching ideas, or following along with workshop materials, especially if the workshop uses visual tools, but it may not run all AI interfaces as flexibly as a laptop.
• Smartphone — useful for quick lookups or mobile access to tools, but shouldn’t replace a laptop.
• Chargers for all devices
• Notebook + pens for quick sketches or prompts

Please click below to register and pay. Tuition is $45. There is a limit of 12 participants. You may use a Credit Card at this link.

About the teachers:

Lyn Belisle is a mixed media artist and former faculty member in the Computer Science Department at Trinity University. With a background in design, teaching, and fine art, Belisle specializes in encaustic, clay, and fiber arts. Lyn’s art has been featured in exhibitions nationwide, and she leads national and international workshops that inspire creativity and self-discovery. She teaches classes in Sythography (AI photography) for Painting With Fire.

Virginia and André Bally have collaboratively led workshops in face casting (Life Cast), Glass Casting, Mask Making, Drawing Theory & Pencil Sketching, and Sandblasting Ceramics. Virginia has also led classes in Floral Design, Bonsai and Color Theory for Ceramic Underglazes.
André has taught Computer Aided Drafting and Design, as an adjunct instructor, for the University of Houston, Houston Community College and Harris County Community College. They have presented workshops in AI in San Antonio and Houston.