Mission Concepcion Portal

As the northernmost "portal" in the Mission Reach and most likely to be the first encountered by visitors, the Mission Concepción portal establishes the context of all four missions, illustrates how the river sustained the Spanish and Native American populations and allows us to tell more effectively the story of the unique relationship between these two landmarks to the more than one million people who visit the missions each year. Located along the San Antonio River just north of the Theo Avenue bridge, the portal introduces Mission Concepción and prepares visitors for the journey from the river to the mission. The Mission Concepción portal features a plaza with attractively designed benches, creative public art, educational and interpretive signage along the walkway to the mission and provides shade, seating and a quiet place to look at a display of informative elements.

Stacy Levy is the artist who has been commissioned by the San Antonio River Foundation to contribute to the creation of this connection between the San Antonio River and Mission Concepción. Levy's works use sculptural forms that evoke the shapes and forms of natural processes and patterns from nature. For the Concepción Portal, the artist’s primary concept is to create an experience that combines the beautiful limestone of the Mission with the flowing forms of the River. Levy will be installing artistic enhancements in phases. Phase 1 is completed and includes walls and seating areas designed to mimic the forms of water.