HoLa Hora Latina was founded in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1992 and is the oldest grassroots Latino non-profit organization in East Tennessee. The mission of HoLa Hora Latina is to promote unity in the community by creating art, cultural and communication bridges between the Latino community and the larger community, and by encouraging education, participation and leadership. HoLa Hora Latina has contributed greatly to the cultural life in the Knoxville area through its various cultural and educational programs. We are mainly known for our Hispanic Heritage celebration, the HoLa Festival, which celebrated its 20th year in 2019. The HoLa Festival hosts 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 family-friendly activities promoting the culture of all Hispanic countries and their influences in the United States. The festival takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month each year, between September 15 and October 15. HoLa Hora Latina has its home at Casa HoLa, a gift shop and art gallery featuring art works produced by local and/or Latino artists. Casa HoLa is located in the 100 block of S. Gay Street inside the historic Emporium Building (Suite 112) 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 Latino community and the Knoxville community at large. We participate in downtown Knoxville's First Friday events and display new works by local and Latino artists each month in our gallery. HoLa Hora Latina is composed of paid intern students and many volunteers who are devote their knowledge of art, culture, and the Spanish language 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.
