The Gala Corina began in 1999 as a group of architects and artists who had a desire to show their work but wanted to remain outside of the traditional gallery structure.
While the individual work of these artists was completely diverse, the group was unified in an understanding that all artistic endeavors are related to each other through the creative spirit. Passion and rigor, tempered by a continuously evolving dialogue among craftsmen, were shared goals with the intent of sharing knowledge and encouraging motivation.
Our first art show in early November 1999, held at Palmetto Beach’s historic Corina Cigar Factory set the tone, time, and continuing title for future shows. In a truly grassroots fashion, 22 artists presented painting, drawing, architecture, furniture, photography, sculpture, and spoken word to a crowd of 500 responsive supporters.
One memorable comment was ”…fantastic, this is exactly what Tampa needs, …passion for art with an innocence to the art machine.” It was then decided by all involved that the Gala Corina should continue as an annual event.
We are a group that is interested in the search for beauty, harmony, truths, purity, expression, and rigor in all forms of art: architecture, painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, poetry, music, photography, film, performing arts, furniture, products, and others which may have not yet been discovered or mentioned. One who searches for these ideals through creative thought in any medium, who rigorously attempts to learn about both the ideals and the mediums, may be known as a craftsman and an artist.
We are a group interested in the synergistic development of our environment and our communities through a dialog among craftsmen. We are interested in exposing the interdependence of all creative thought. The exposition of the manifestations of such creative thought in a public realm is the most effective method of conveying this interdependence. This exhibition of creative manifestations, works of art, becomes a vehicle to summarize for the public community, how ideas, imagination, will, and perseverance can shape our environment into something that is constantly creative … stemming from our ideals, and our imaginations … and forge our community into an active, creative and beautiful place.—Mike Calvino, 1999