Artist Jonathan Smith Travels to Turkey to Volunteer at the Flying Carpet Children Festival
Santa Barbara Independent
August 21, 2026
Jonathan Smith, co-founder of Santa Barbara's Environment Makers Inc., is taking his passion for creativity and compassion all the way to Turkey this month. He's volunteering at the Flying Carpet Children Festival, a magical event designed to bring joy and artistic expression to refugee children living in the region. It's a reminder that our local artists aren't just shaping our community—they're reaching across the world to make a difference.
For those of us who know Santa Barbara as a hub of creative energy, Smith's journey feels especially close to home. His work with Environment Makers has always been about connecting people through art and nature, and now he's extending that mission to kids who need it most. We first read about this inspiring trip in the Santa Barbara Independent, and it's a beautiful example of how our community's talents ripple far beyond the 805.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Santa Barbara Independent.
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Santa BarbaraPublished
August 21, 2026
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