Craig Cervantes began teaching art at Colton’s middle and high schools in 2001 and at the end of the 2024 school year, he closed his art room door for the last time.
Retirement called, and Cervantes answered. He said teaching in Colton has been a lot of fun and he will miss his job, but now he plans to concentrate more on his art and travel with his wife.
“I've always been a behind-the-scenes art teacher, kinda like a coach,” Cervantes said. “I taught them all types of 2-D and 3-D media, coached them along and watched them complete their art projects, like a coach who sees the athletes perform well. When the kids completed art projects, I've always felt a source of pride. It's about the kids, but it was also rewarding to pass on my art knowledge to the students. Art is an important part of their schooling and gives them a more rounded education.”
During his 23 years at CHS, his students painted more than 100 ceiling panels and 30 murals, which will remain for future students to enjoy. But it wasn’t just art. Cervantes taught yearbook, P.E. and from 2001-2016 was part of the football and wrestling coaching staff at the middle and high schools.
Cervantes has made a lasting impression on his students and some share what he meant to them during their school years and today.
“Mr. C is the reason for my love for art,” said James Parker, a 2019 CHS graduate. “I had him from seventh grade through senior year. I continue painting and now it is custom shoes, helmets, baseball bats, gloves, etc. for professional sports teams and it truly all started 10 years ago when I was in his class as a 13-year-old. I keep in contact with him and let him know when I use some of the techniques he taught me. He was also my football coach for a while and his enthusiasm for sports matched his love for art. It’s cool that I joined the two with what I do now. I can’t say enough good things about Mr. C.”
Angela Sapienza Hawes (2003), a part-time artist and community art instructor, said, “I remember when Colton first hired Mr. C. I was relieved and excited because we were at risk of not having art class because of the district’s budget shortfall. I took every art class offered, and some of the most fun and challenging art projects I have ever done came out of his classes. He was a great art teacher and cared about and believed in his students.”
Skylar Bruesch, class of 2016, said Cervantes was someone who cared.
“Mr. C was definitely my favorite teacher, a teacher who cared about his students. I was always so excited about going to art class. Even if the project was difficult, the environment was fun. ‘Work smarter, not harder,’ he wasn't the first to say it, but it's a famous Mr. C quote that sticks in my head.”
This past spring there was a story in Colton Corner about the new murals painted by students, including a picture and story of Felicity Mueller’s mural. She described what her art piece meant to her.
“My painting is dedicated to struggles and letting go. It shows butterflies that were locked in a jar and when the lid comes off, their troubles disappear, and they are set free to soar in the sky,” Mueller said. “They are on their way to a new start, a new life.”
After it was printed a young woman read the story and said about Mueller’s art. “That resonated with me so much; that was me in high school. She painted the story beautifully.”
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