Permanent Exhibits in Terminal 1

To meet air traveler's expectations, the city of san antonio undertook a plan to upgrade the 20-year Terminal One facilities in 2003. In addition to installing state-of-the-art amenitites, provide new, brighter interior finishes and improve concession offerings at San Antonio International Airport, permanent art enhancements became part of the overall architectural experience. Two artists were commision to develop San Antonio and South Texas themed enhancements.

Gate Portals at Terminal One

San Antonio and South Texas are defined as much by their history as by their festive culture, events, and places. To capture the region?s very interesting cultural mix, as well as its uniqueness, the City commissioned internationally recognized San Antonio artist Cesar Martinez to design distinctive portals in the concourse at 12 airline gates. As arriving passengers step off their plane, they will enter into one of 12 canopy-like structures designed by Mr. Martinez. The portals are supported by four columns and complemented in design theme by coordinating terrazzo floor areas. The multi-faceted portal artworks feature glass/ceramic photographic tile murals bordered by columns with tile and silk-screened or etched design metal treatments. Each column has unique tile designs that relate back to the photographic murals, as well as metallic collars that occur at the bases.

GATE 9 PORTAL BY CESAR MARTINEZ Fiesta

San Antonio is Fiesta City all year round. However, the biggest Fiesta of them all is the annual spring festival celebrating the history and culture of San Antonio. It takes place over two weeks in April of every year. Bursts of confetti, streamers, parades and neon-lit carnival rides inspired the designs in this portal wall mural, columns and floor.

GATE 7 PORTAL BY CESAR MARTINEZ Spirit of The Coahuilteco

Before its founding and settling, the San Antonio area was home to a number of Native American tribes. For the nomadic Coahuiltecos, the missions provided convenient shelter and protection from the more aggressive tribes that inhabited the area. Some Coahuiltecos were workers during the construction of the missions, eventually assimilating and becoming permanent residents. Their remains are buried on the mission grounds and cemeteries. This portal wall mural, columns and floor - is an acknowledgement of their existence and contribution to local culture. Their ancestors live among us.

GATE 10 PORTAL BY CESAR MARTINEZ Market Square

There was a time when San Antonio's Market Square area was a produce market, where area farmers sold their produce out of wagons and trucks. Today it is a market place of a different sort with shops and restaurants that reflect the uniqueness of San Antonio?s cuisine and culture. There is no better place than here to relax, have a great dinner and drink Margaritas. Slices of lemons and limes and the gargoyle street lamps that light the area inspired this portal design columns and floor.

GATE 3 PORTAL BY CESAR MARTINEZ Conjunto

This portal design wall mural, columns and floor - was inspired by conjunto music, a major element of local culture and South Texas culture in general. It is a tribute to this accordion-driven musical genre and the musicians that have made it what it is today. A major pioneering influence, Valerio Longoria, was a long-time San Antonio resident until his death in 2000.

GATE 2 PORTAL BY CESAR MARTINEZ Jones bridge

San Antonio was founded along the banks of the San Antonio River. There are numerous uniquely designed bridges in downtown San Antonio. This portal design - wall mural, columns and floor - was inspired by Jones Bridge, which spans the Riverwalk channel that flows under Market Street. As you look down from it you will see all the Riverwalk activity and, especially, the restaurants' umbrella-shaded tables so typical of the area. The concrete railing of the bridge inspired part of the design.

GATE 11 PORTAL BY CESAR MARTINEZ Presa Street Bridge

San Antonio was founded along the banks of the San Antonio River. There are numerous artfully designed bridges in downtown San Antonio. The Presa Street Bridge, which spans the Riverwalk channel that flows under South Presa Street, is of Germanic steel design - all nuts and bolts. A montage of sights from central San Antonio complements this portal design - wall mural, columns and floor.

GATE 12 – PORTAL BY CESAR MARTINEZ Japanese Sunken Gardens

San Antonio ’ s cultural diversity is perfectly exemplified by the Japanese Sunken Gardens located in the Brackenridge Park area at the headwaters of the San Antonio River. Formerly an abandoned limestone quarry, one of many in the San Antonio area, the Japanese Sunken Gardens is one of the best possible uses for these large excavations. There is no better place in San Antonio for a quiet, meditative walk. This portal design – wall mural, columns and floor – takes its inspiration from the Japanese Sunken Gardens.