Help Michael Long Recover After a Life-Changing Accident

Fundraising Goal: $15,000

For decades, Michael Long has taken things that others might overlook, discard or leave behind and turned them into something meaningful. Through his art, his teaching and his friendship, he has done something similar for people. Michael has spent much of his life helping others recognize beauty, possibility and creativity where they may not have seen it before.

Now, Michael needs his community to show up for him.

Michael recently suffered a devastating accident after falling from a ladder. The fall left him with a broken femur, a broken ankle, a cracked pelvis and a compressed vertebra, serious injuries that have suddenly transformed everyday life into a long road of medical treatment, healing and rehabilitation.

Anyone who knows Michael knows that sitting on the sidelines is not exactly his natural habitat. He is an artist, a teacher, a father, a mentor and a deeply valued member of the Santa Barbara community. He is someone who creates, builds, teaches and gives. Right now, many of the things he would normally do to support himself simply are not possible.

We are raising $15,000 to help Michael through the difficult months ahead. Donations will help with medical expenses associated with his injuries and recovery while Michael is unable to work and return to his normal life.

Michael Has Spent a Lifetime Giving to Santa Barbara

Michael was born in Santa Barbara in 1973 and has spent more than 30 years creating art from found, discarded and forgotten objects. Collage, assemblage, handmade dioramas and his distinctive "dream boxes" have allowed him to transform fragments of the past into deeply personal worlds drawn from memory, dreams and imagination.

But Michael's contribution to Santa Barbara extends far beyond the work that comes out of his studio.

His background is in education and liberal arts, and over the years he has taught art at Peabody Charter School and the Westside Boys and Girls Club, in addition to working as an elementary school teacher. He has helped young people discover their creativity and has encouraged countless others to express the truest versions of themselves through art.

Michael also serves on the City of Santa Barbara's Art Advisory Committee and has been deeply involved in the local arts community through exhibitions, curation and community events. His work has been exhibited throughout Santa Barbara and the surrounding region, and his art and story have been featured by publications and media outlets including the Santa Barbara Independent, LUM Art Magazine, Atlas Obscura, ABC Localish and 60 Second Docs.

For years, Michael has helped make Santa Barbara a more interesting, creative and human place.

But those accomplishments only tell part of his story.

An Artist, a Friend and, Most Importantly, a Father

To the people closest to him, Michael isn't a résumé or a list of exhibitions.

He is a father. He is a friend. He is the person who encourages someone to make the thing they were afraid to make, to trust their instincts, to be a little stranger, a little braver and a little more themselves.

He has given his time, creativity, knowledge and friendship generously. He has helped build a community around art that welcomes people who may not always feel as though they fit neatly into the traditional art world. Michael understands that the things others overlook can still have tremendous value.

That philosophy has shaped his artwork, but it has also shaped the way he treats people.

Now, at a moment when Michael is facing one of the hardest chapters of his life, we have an opportunity to return some of what he has given.

The Road Ahead

Recovering from a broken femur, broken ankle, cracked pelvis and compressed vertebra is not something that happens overnight. Michael faces medical care, rehabilitation and a significant period in which his ability to work, create and provide for his family will be limited.

The physical recovery is difficult enough. The financial pressure that accompanies a serious accident can make an already frightening situation feel overwhelming.

Our goal is to take some of that weight off Michael's shoulders.

Every contribution to this fundraiser will help Michael focus on what matters most right now: healing, being there for his children and working toward the day when he can return to his studio and the community that means so much to him.

Whether you can give $25, $50, $100, $500 or more, it matters. When enough people decide to help, small acts of generosity become something much larger.

And if donating isn't possible right now, please share Michael's story. Send this fundraiser to friends, artists, educators, parents, former students and anyone who has been touched by Michael or by the Santa Barbara arts community.

Michael has spent decades turning discarded pieces into something whole.

Right now, his community has the chance to help him put the pieces back together.

Please consider donating and helping Michael and his children through the difficult road ahead.Help Michael Long Recover After a Life-Changing Accident

Fundraising Goal: $15,000

For decades, Michael Long has taken things that others might overlook, discard or leave behind and turned them into something meaningful. Through his art, his teaching and his friendship, he has done something similar for people. Michael has spent much of his life helping others recognize beauty, possibility and creativity where they may not have seen it before.

Now, Michael needs his community to show up for him.

Michael recently suffered a devastating accident after falling from a ladder. The fall left him with a broken femur, a broken ankle, a cracked pelvis and a compressed vertebra, serious injuries that have suddenly transformed everyday life into a long road of medical treatment, healing and rehabilitation.

Anyone who knows Michael knows that sitting on the sidelines is not exactly his natural habitat. He is an artist, a teacher, a father, a mentor and a deeply valued member of the Santa Barbara community. He is someone who creates, builds, teaches and gives. Right now, many of the things he would normally do to support himself simply are not possible.

We are raising $15,000 to help Michael through the difficult months ahead. Donations will help with medical expenses associated with his injuries and recovery while Michael is unable to work and return to his normal life.

Michael Has Spent a Lifetime Giving to Santa Barbara

Michael was born in Santa Barbara in 1973 and has spent more than 30 years creating art from found, discarded and forgotten objects. Collage, assemblage, handmade dioramas and his distinctive "dream boxes" have allowed him to transform fragments of the past into deeply personal worlds drawn from memory, dreams and imagination.

But Michael's contribution to Santa Barbara extends far beyond the work that comes out of his studio.

His background is in education and liberal arts, and over the years he has taught art at Peabody Charter School and the Westside Boys and Girls Club, in addition to working as an elementary school teacher. He has helped young people discover their creativity and has encouraged countless others to express the truest versions of themselves through art.

Michael also serves on the City of Santa Barbara's Art Advisory Committee and has been deeply involved in the local arts community through exhibitions, curation and community events. His work has been exhibited throughout Santa Barbara and the surrounding region, and his art and story have been featured by publications and media outlets including the Santa Barbara Independent, LUM Art Magazine, Atlas Obscura, ABC Localish and 60 Second Docs.

For years, Michael has helped make Santa Barbara a more interesting, creative and human place.

But those accomplishments only tell part of his story.

An Artist, a Friend and, Most Importantly, a Father

To the people closest to him, Michael isn't a résumé or a list of exhibitions.

He is a father. He is a friend. He is the person who encourages someone to make the thing they were afraid to make, to trust their instincts, to be a little stranger, a little braver and a little more themselves.

He has given his time, creativity, knowledge and friendship generously. He has helped build a community around art that welcomes people who may not always feel as though they fit neatly into the traditional art world. Michael understands that the things others overlook can still have tremendous value.

That philosophy has shaped his artwork, but it has also shaped the way he treats people.

Now, at a moment when Michael is facing one of the hardest chapters of his life, we have an opportunity to return some of what he has given.

The Road Ahead

Recovering from a broken femur, broken ankle, cracked pelvis and compressed vertebra is not something that happens overnight. Michael faces medical care, rehabilitation and a significant period in which his ability to work, create and provide for his family will be limited.

The physical recovery is difficult enough. The financial pressure that accompanies a serious accident can make an already frightening situation feel overwhelming.

Our goal is to take some of that weight off Michael's shoulders.

Every contribution to this fundraiser will help Michael focus on what matters most right now: healing, being there for his children and working toward the day when he can return to his studio and the community that means so much to him.

Whether you can give $25, $50, $100, $500 or more, it matters. When enough people decide to help, small acts of generosity become something much larger.

And if donating isn't possible right now, please share Michael's story. Send this fundraiser to friends, artists, educators, parents, former students and anyone who has been touched by Michael or by the Santa Barbara arts community.

Michael has spent decades turning discarded pieces into something whole.

Right now, his community has the chance to help him put the pieces back together.

Please consider donating and helping Michael along the difficult road ahead.