Episode 0073 Share Your Story: Tom & Hector Boldo

This week the guys interview Tom and Hector Boldo, co-founders of the Mississippi Latinx Art Association and Nuestro Arte gallery in Hattiesburg; fellow co-founder Jacqueline Gonzalez Wooton was unfortunately unable to join them for the conversation. The couple shares experiences about their move from Austin to Mississippi and their subsequent efforts to increase Latin cultural representation through community workshops and themed exhibitions. They describe their very early and necessary strategic pivot from exclusively showcasing Latin artists to inviting all local creators to reinterpret Latin themes, which successfully grew their network to hundreds of participants.

The conversation explores the cultural significance of traditions like Día de los Muertos along with the challenges of navigating artistic insecurity and local skepticism. Hector and Tom also candidly share the economic realities of running an art gallery while aiming to build empathy and visibility for the Hispanic community through public events like downtown parades.

Wanna hear about starting a new art gallery and association in rural America, or curious about the business side of being an artist? Then don’t miss this episode! Be sure to check it out on the podcast player of your choice!