The community of Moscow, Idaho and beyond is mourning the unexpected passing of Stacy Isenbarger, a brilliant artist, compassionate educator, and cherished friend. Stacy was a renowned Professor of Art + Design at the University of Idaho, where she touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and fellow creatives. Her loss is deeply felt across many circles, both academic and artistic, and leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who knew her.
Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Stacy brought with her a distinct voice and an infectious enthusiasm for life and creativity. She earned her BFA at Clemson University and went on to complete her MFA at the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia.
Her journey as an artist was defined by a deep commitment to exploring the intersections between material, space, memory, and emotion. Her sculptures, installations, and mixed-media drawings captivated audiences with their poetic collisions of form and meaning, inviting viewers to confront the complexities of human experience—especially the sentimentality of distance and the tangles of restraint.
As a professor, Stacy was known not only for her immense talent but for her generosity, warmth, and unwavering support of her students and peers. She celebrated every opportunity to help others discover their own creative voice. Her classroom was a place of exploration, empowerment, and collaboration. She championed not just technical skill but also the courage to express vulnerability through art. In doing so, she cultivated a community grounded in mutual respect and radical creativity.
Beyond her role as an educator, Stacy was deeply involved in community-focused creative work. She was a co-creator and contributing editor for WhatDoWeDoNow.Art, an online resource for studio art faculty that fostered shared learning and innovation. She was also a proud member of the Confluence Lab, a collective that bridged art, science, and environmental awareness. Whether inside the studio, in the classroom, or out in the world, Stacy’s passion for connection through art was unmistakable.
Those who knew her personally remember not only her extraordinary intellect and artistic vision but also her humor, compassion, and magnetic spirit. “She was a brilliant artist, a true friend, and a generous person,” a friend wrote. “I’ll miss our conversations the most.” Her presence had a way of lifting others up—through a well-timed joke, a knowing smile, or simply being there when someone needed her most.
Another friend shared, “There will never in my life be enough words for how much I loved, and will always love, this woman—her spirit, her art, her laughter, her fierceness… She made everything she touched better.” Their bond, formed serendipitously at a faculty orientation in 2011, blossomed into years of collaborative art, deep discussions, and unforgettable adventures. Through the BASK interdisciplinary collective and countless shared moments, Stacy shaped the lives and creative trajectories of those around her in lasting, meaningful ways.
When Stacy wasn’t teaching or making art, she could often be found dancing—a joyful act that symbolized her approach to life. Movement, energy, and shared experience were at the heart of everything she did. She believed in shaking up space, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually, challenging those around her to be more present, more honest, and more fearless.
Stacy Isenbarger leaves behind a remarkable legacy of artistry, mentorship, and friendship. Her absence will be keenly felt, but her spirit lives on in every sculpture that invites contemplation, in every student emboldened to create, and in every friend who remembers her laughter and love.
Wherever she is now, we hope it’s a place full of joy, music, and movement—where Whitney Houston is playing, the lights are bright, and Stacy is dancing.
