Cadiz City, Negros Occidental — Fine Arts faculty members Edmund Bacia and Francis Akol led creatives in a two-day exploration of art and artificial intelligence during the “Heart to Art: A Creative Conversation Workshop” held Feb. 26–27 at The Terrace Garden.
The workshop, themed “Beyond the Tool: Creativity in the AI Era,” gathered artists and professionals from graphic design, brand strategy, videography, photography, animation and visual arts to examine the evolving role of artificial intelligence in creative practice.
Bacia and Akol, both speakers at the event, emphasized that while AI continues to reshape creative workflows, it remains a tool guided by human intention and ethical responsibility.
Participants engaged in discussions on storytelling, design thinking and future-ready skills, highlighting the balance between technological innovation and human creativity. Organizers described the gathering as more than a technical workshop, calling it a “creative awakening” focused on preserving authenticity in an increasingly automated landscape.
Central to the conversation was the idea that true creativity originates from within — that passion drives meaningful design, compelling visuals and authentic artistic expression, even as tools evolve.
“In the AI era, tools may change, but the heart remains the origin and art remains the expression,” organizers said in a statement.
The event concluded with a call for continued dialogue among creatives, underscoring the need for innovation anchored in integrity and purpose.