"Gala Corina" is an annual event exhibiting new work by artists and architects, in a historic building in Tampa which changes locations every year. In the spirit of the exhibitions produced by the Russian Constructivists in the early 20th century, the impetus to form this project was initiated by Mike Calvino and John Langley, both graduates in Architecture from the University of Florida. Calvino explains that "people don't have to rely on the things that were made hundreds and thousands of years ago to be beautiful. Let the creative minds of OUR TIME make a new beauty, form a new creative energy. We want to make a change in the way the public thinks about art and architecture, and their environment." To understand more about the driving force behind this exhibition, I asked him about his background, interests, and details about Gala Corina:

-Where were you born and what was it like growing up? "I was born in Oakridge, Tennessee, and lived there 'til I was 2 years old, then my family moved to Lakeland 'til I was 4 or 5, where I learned to ride a bike. My mom still has a drawing that I did during that time. It's a group of houses in the winter because there's a chimney with smoke coming out of one of the houses. Then I lived in Orlando 'til I went to college. I climbed lots of trees, built lots of sand cities, golf ball rollers, forts, ramps,...I'd climb up into the top of a tree, find the best 'seat' way up high, and dream about stuff, lots of times falling asleep up there. I had a blast. I think maybe 80% of my childhood was spent in the trees. In high school I rode BMX freestyle all the time (check out www.calvinodesign.com/freestyle)...ramps mostly 8 ft half pipes. I kept drawing though, rendered pencil drawings from nature and animals to ships to BMX freestyle to cars,...then I started the school of architecture."

-Why did you choose Design and Architecture?"I really feel like it, or something or someone, chose me. I can't remember when I didn't know what I wanted to do. The toughest part is keeping that vision while most everyone around you tells you what else you should or could do. After gaining years of experience, I decided to start my own business in '97. I quit my job at the firm I worked for, so that I could do my moonlight projects full-time." (www.calvinodesign.com)

-Who are your influences or what is your inspiration?"Ancient ruins are amazing. I've been to 15 different Mayan ruin sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, Greece (Athens), Rome, and Tuscany. The best parts are the country sides where you see the stacked rock walls in the fields that used to be sheep grazing fields, these lines of timeless walls and the occasional shelter within the wall marking the landscape. You begin to wonder where nature stops and where human design or making begins. I think it's the 'timelessness' of them, the permanence, the solidity, as well as being sculptural. They imply something beyond themselves. "Around the turn of the 20th century, a few of the groups and lots of designers are amazing too, because of their deep beliefs about the way things should be, i.e.- Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Gerritt Reitveld and the DeStijl Group, A. Rodechenko and the Russian Constructivists. Not necessarily because of what they made, but because of how strongly they believed in what they were doing and the energy that they went about manifesting it, AND sharing it and motivating others to forge ahead as well."

-How do you know John Langley and when was the 1st "Gala Corina"?"I knew of John Langley at UF, he was a year or so ahead of me in undergrad. But I really didn't get to know him 'til I moved back to FL from NYC, where I worked full-time as an entry level architect in '94. I got a job at a firm here in Tampa in '95. About a year later John got a job at the same place, and that's when we started hanging out. He learned how to weld at my studio and began making sculptures. That's when we talked about doing an exhibition to show the things we'd been making and asked people we knew to participate. In '99, John was living in an old cigar factory, called the Corina Cigar Factory, where part of it was his loft space. He negotiated with the owners of the building to have an art exhibition there (November '99) using the lobby, the stairwell, the 3rd floor and John's apartment. John came up with the simple name, 'Gala Corina', 'gala' meaning 'festive event'."

-Why does the location of "Gala Corina" change every year?"We want to maintain a reserved and mysterious quality with the show, sort of a murmur throughout the year that would rise to a climax at one time with the exhibition. This way the anticipation can grow and part of that is the unknown of what the setting of the show will be. We find a structure in the city that has some history behind it which grounds the exhibit and the artists to their community, creating a very essential atmosphere. The warehouses, cigar factories, and an old brick church shell have a rawness to them that further enhances that 'no nonsense' quality, the essence of the exhibition and the space."

-Why do you continue to have "Gala Corina"?"I think that it is very inspirational to the people involved. There is that sense that we are making a change in the way that the public views Art and Architecture. The dialogue that evolves between the artists/ architects gets quite deep in terms of the development of the work of each artist. Some of the interaction that is created during the creation of each show is only matched by the 'studio atmosphere' of art and architecture school studios. Many relationships continue between the artists after the show and into coming years. It is quite a bit of work to put it all together, but it's always a very positive experience. Looking at the big picture, I feel we are making a difference."

"GALA CORINA IV", featuring over 70 artists, opens Friday, November 8th from 5:00 - 11:00pm. Wine and beer will be provided, and a program will be available at the door. Various performances take place throughtout the evening. Suggested donation - $1/person. The exhibition is located at The Sanctuary (the old Tyer Temple) at 502 East Ross Av in Temple Heights, just north of I-275 on Florida Av about 7 blocks to Ross Av (one street past Palm Av). Go east to Central Av, and the building is on the NE corner of the intersection. Parking is within a few blocks in empty lots.Open Gallery: Saturday, November 9th through Friday, November 15th from 6:00 - 9:00pm.Artist's Closing Reception (Open to public): Saturday, November 16th from 9:00 - 11:00pm.Media Preview: Thursday, November 7th from 4:00 - 9:00pm.For more information, go to www.galacorina.com, or email - mike@calvinodesign.com.