Sara Joyce (1923-2011) was born in California and grew up during the Great Depression, learning the virtue of thrift and the skills to be self-reliant, such as cooking and sewing, during her early years. Her family moved around the Southwest in search of work, and at age 14 she became a live-in mother’s helper in Pima, Arizona. She moved with the family to Los Angeles, then San Diego.
Sara moved to Pocatello, Idaho in her 20’s, spent many years living in Genesee, Idaho, returning to Pocatello in 1992. She resided there in her studio home until ill health took her to Moscow, Idaho, where she died.
Sara practiced yoga and walked daily. She composted and maintained an organic garden, and raised goats for milk and hens for eggs, providing delicious bread and other food, along with meaningful conversation, for her family and friends.
She set up seven studios during her lifetime as she purchased and sold 
properties that she lived in while renovating. Her curiosity was endless, and she provided her three children with a vibrant learning environment and countless adventures.
Sara produced a substantial body of art works during her lifetime, and both sold and gave some of her work to friends. But showing and selling didn’t have meaning for her; she would also say that her work was “imperfect,” and she declined offers to sell her art in galleries.
It was only in the last years of her life that Sara finally saw her work on display in a large public exhibition, thanks to friends, family members and fellow artists who agree that Sara has a place in Idaho art history.