The community of Moscow, Idaho, and countless others across the academic and creative world are mourning the sudden loss of Stacy Isenbarger, a deeply gifted artist, compassionate teacher, and cherished friend. A celebrated Professor of Art + Design at the University of Idaho, Stacy devoted her life to inspiring others through art, education, and boundless generosity of spirit.
Her passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of students, colleagues, collaborators, and loved ones whose lives she touched with her unmistakable energy, intellect, and warmth.
A Journey of Creative Purpose
Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Stacy’s artistic voice was unmistakably her own—layered, inquisitive, and bold. She earned her BFA from Clemson University, followed by an MFA from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia. From these early years, she began to explore the dynamic interplay between material, memory, space, and restraint, themes that would define her artistic legacy.
Her sculptural works, installations, and mixed-media drawings were never just objects—they were experiential spaces: emotionally charged and thoughtfully constructed. Stacy’s pieces invited contemplation and conversation, often challenging viewers to sit with discomfort, sentimentality, or contradiction. She brought poetry to structure, and truth to abstraction.
An Educator Who Empowered Through Art
More than her creative genius, Stacy was revered as an educator and mentor who saw the artist in everyone. At the University of Idaho, her classroom became a haven for curiosity, risk-taking, and vulnerability. She emphasized not just artistic technique but emotional honesty, encouraging her students to use their voices boldly and authentically.
Those who learned from Stacy didn’t just walk away with stronger portfolios—they left with a deeper understanding of self, creativity, and courage. She believed in lifting others up, and she did so with sincerity, patience, and fierce encouragement.
A Community Connector and Creative Force
Outside the studio and classroom, Stacy brought her values of collaboration and experimentation to the broader community. She was a co-creator and editor of WhatDoWeDoNow.Art, an online platform supporting studio art faculty with tools for teaching, reflection, and innovation. She also contributed to the Confluence Lab, a collective bridging art, environmental science, and social awareness to cultivate meaningful conversations about climate and community.
Her involvement in these spaces reflected her unwavering belief that art can and should be a catalyst for connection, empathy, and change.
A Life Lived in Movement
When she wasn’t teaching or creating, Stacy could often be found dancing—an expression of joy and presence that mirrored how she approached life. She moved through the world with intention, rhythm, and an invitation for others to join her. Whether on the dance floor or in everyday spaces, she sought to shake things up—not for attention, but for awareness, connection, and growth.
A Lasting Legacy
Stacy Isenbarger leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond her artwork or academic accolades. Her true impact lives in the confidence she helped build in others, the communities she nurtured, and the love she gave without hesitation.
In her memory, let us carry forward her values: Make boldly. Teach generously. Laugh loudly. Love fiercely. And always, always dance.
May her spirit continue to move through us—in every brushstroke, every shared story, and every fearless act of creativity.
And wherever she is now, may the lights be bright, the music turned up, and Whitney Houston playing loud enough for Stacy to dance, freely and joyfully, forever.