About Us

HoLa Hora Latina started in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1992 and is the oldest grassroots Latino non-profit organization in East Tennessee. Chartered in 2003, it is now a 501(c)(3) charity. The mission of HoLa Hora Latina is to promote unity in the community by creating art, cultural and communication bridges between the greater Knoxville and Latino communities and by encouraging education, participation and leadership.
HoLa Hora Latina has contributed to the cultural life in the Knoxville area through its various cultural and educational programs. We are mainly known for the annual Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 and for the annual HoLa Festival. The last one being the most celebrated among the many celebrations during this month. The HoLa Festival is known to be attended by more than 25,000 festival goers kicking off with a Saturday night Salsa Fiesta and leading to a Sunday filled with food, music, dance, cultural events, a Parade of Nations and endless activities promoting the culture of all Hispanic countries and their influences in the United States.
HoLa Hora Latina has its home at Casa HoLa which is located in the 100 block of S. Gay Street at the Historical Emporium Building in the heart of Knoxville’s Art District. This is the home for most of our cultural and educational programs which are offered throughout the year. Casa HoLa has become a center where Latin art, photography, paintings, ceramic arts and popular art have coexisted within the Hispanic and the Community at large. Monthly movies and discussions promote a cultural interexchange which is not only fun but stimulating.
HoLa Hora Latina is composed of paid intern students and many volunteers who are devote their knowledge of art and culture towards excellence in the organization. In 2002, HoLa Hora Latina was an important aspect for the inauguration of the Civil War Trail Marker which marks the birthplace of Admiral Farragut in Knox County in honor of his Hispanic heritage.
HoLa ha contribuido a la vida cultural de la zona de Knoxville a través de sus programas educativos y culturales variados. Somos posiblemente más conocidos por la celebración anual del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, que se celebra del 15 de septiembre hasta el 15 de octubre y por el Festival HoLa, el más destacado este mes con largas celebraciones.
Desde 2010, con la apertura de Casa HoLa en el edificio Emporium, en el corazón del distrito de arte de Knoxville, hemos ofrecido programas culturales y educativos durante todo el año. Casa HoLa se ha convertido en un centro de arte latino, donde las fotografías, pinturas, cerámica y arte popular han coexistido para el disfrute de los hispanos y no hispanos por igual. Películas mensuales, y las discusiones que siguen proveen un intercambio cultural divertido y estimulante.
Actualmente contamos con un miembro del personal asalariado, y muchos voluntarios dedicados. En 2012 HoLa fue fundamental para la inauguración de Civil War Trail Marker donde marca el nacimiento del Almirante Farragut en el condado de Knox, en honor a su herencia hispana.
Hola Hora Latina Board of Directors 2021
Pedro Tomás - President
Roger Roark - Treasurer
Terra Clotfelter Gómez - Secretary
Rose Mar
Maria Clark PhD
Enrique Cruz
Having lived in Knoxville for many years working in the food service and hospitality industries, Enrique is the newest addition to our Board and organized the 2019 HoLa Festival’s food vendors with great success. He currently works with Rosa’s catering as an events and social media manager. He continue his work with the HoLa Festival’s food vendors in 2021.
Nathalie Hristov
Rossy Toledo
A Spanish Senior Lecturer at the University of Tennessee, Mrs. Toledo currently serves as the Art Comittee Chair at the Casa HoLa Gallery and Artisan Shop to organize exhibitions and the Astrid Galindo Student Arts Scholarship. She and her sister, Gabrille, are both artists whose works have been displayed at Casa HoLa.
We want to pay special tribute to those who have served as President of HoLa Hora Latina.
Those dedicated individuals, who have contributed so much to the growth and development of HoLa Hora Latina include:
- Angela Masini
- Coral Getino
- Carlos Bermúdez
- Veronica Douglas
- Lysette Avilés
- Loida Velázquez
- Silvia Calzadilla
- Elena McKinney