{"id":439551,"date":"2025-12-11T07:05:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T07:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/439551\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T07:05:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T07:05:21","slug":"san-antonio-honors-mission-san-jose-descendants-with-new-public-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/439551\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio honors Mission San Jose descendants with new public art"},"content":{"rendered":"

\""Kindred"\u201cKindred\u201d is the first public art installation from San Antonio creator Ashley Perez. Credit: Courtesy Photo \/ City of San Antonio<\/p>\n

The City of San Antonio has introduced a new public art installation that honors Indigenous people\u00a0connected to Mission San Jose<\/a>\u00a0and the community\u2019s enduring legacy.<\/p>\n

The 15-foot-tall concrete and steel sculpture, \u201cKindred,\u201d stands in Council District 3 near Mission Road. It was commissioned from San Antonio artist Ashley Perez<\/a>, director of the visual arts program at SAY S\u00ed.<\/p>\n

Part of the city\u2019s commitment to enhance the World Heritage Trail with public art, \u201cKindred\u201d depicts two outreached hands connected by rippling water. It represents the Mission San Jose descendants\u2019 bond across time and community, according to an official statement.<\/p>\n

Perez drew inspiration from the piece from the late Vincent Huizar, a San Antonio Missions tour guide and Mission San Jose descendant, according to city officials. Perez worked with the Mission San Jose Neighborhood Association, Mission Descendants and National Parks Services to ensure her sculpture truly represented the people\u2019s story.<\/p>\n

Perez also drew on historical and personal experiences for the sculpture, which was dedicated during November, National Native American Heritage Month. She incorporated symbols designed to highlight the heritage of the descendants of Mission San Jose.<\/p>\n

These motifs include a Native American medicine wheel within a radial family tree on the back of each hand, along with mesquite pods, corn and wheat on the fingers. The images aim to honor the original inhabitants of Mission San Jose and represent their evolving relationship with the land, according to an official statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

San Antonio Council District 3 worked alongside the city\u2019s departments of Arts & Culture, World Heritage and Public Works for this project, officials said. The project was part of the\u00a02017-2022 Bond Program<\/a>, and the installation represents Perez\u2019s first public art project.<\/p>\n

World Heritage Office Director Colleen Swain said the new piece brings the community\u2019s story to a wider audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis initiative beautifully weaves together our vibrant culture and rich heritage, creating a lasting space where our past and future unite in celebration,\u201d Swain said during the Nov. 14 dedication ceremony. <\/p>\n

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