Craig Johnson

My name is Craig Johnson and I am 23 years old.  I graduated from UNC-Greensboro in May of 2008 with a BFA in Art+Design.  Since graduation I have worked as a web designer, I have worked at Lowes, volunteered at Habitat for Humanity in Asheville, NC, have been a substitute teacher, as well as attended UC Berkeley for two months doing graduate work in architecture.   And now I am planning to ride a bicycle across the United States…

Yeah.  I said it—a bicycle.  I am going to join around 29 other young adults in riding a bicycle 4,164 miles from Charleston SC, to Santa Cruz CA in three months.  For more information on that visit: http://tinyurl.com/ybfsaww or for more information on the Bike and Build non-profit visit: http://tinyurl.com/ykhr7ks. 

            I was born in Asheville, North Carolina on May 10th 1986.  I grew up playing organized sports of all sorts, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and yes even bicycling.  I attended Asheville High School where I played baseball, football, and city-league basketball.  After high school, I attended UNC-Greensboro where I majored in Art.  It was in Greensboro where I first heard about Bike and Build from a friend of mine named Renee Wheelock.  I became very interested but I couldn’t get involved due to obligations over the summer—but I knew that the day would come.

            After I graduated from UNC-Greensboro I backpacked in Thailand for a month, and returned to my hometown of Asheville to find a job.  A job was found but lets just say I never really left Thailand.  All I could think about was the amazing world out there and I am here—right where I started.  After a few months I went out on my own doing freelance work, and then took employment with Lowes where I saved money so that I could finance my next move—wherever it may take me.

            Ever since my senior year in high-school I have been interested in architecture, partly because I grew up around it….ha..ha.  Actually my dad is an architect and I was dragged to AIA conventions since as far back as I can remember.  In March of 2009 I applied at UC Berkeley for a summer graduate study in architecture.  I was finally given the chance to study a field that I have wanted to for quite some time, at a reputable university, and get graduate credit hours—and I loved it.

            After Berkeley, I came back home and worked as a substitute teacher in the Asheville City School System.  And you thought going to your high-school reunions was weird—try being a substitute teacher at your high school.  During that time I put together applications and portfolios to send to architecture schools all around the country, as well as sign up for something I have been wanting to do for a few years now—Bike and Build.

            While working at Lowes I was volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity Home Store in Asheville, NC once a week.  I had a lot of fun helping out there and I look forward to continuing to do that this semester while I continue my education in preparation for graduate school.  After Bike and Build is over I hope to be enrolled in graduate school.  However, regardless of whether I am enrolled or not, I am positive that in August I will have a much better appreciation for my country, and the people and buildings that occupy it.

Pictures tagged with Craig:

Craig's Latest Photos:

South Carolina