“Gathering Circle” Dedication Honors Indigenous Traditions
Published on May 11, 2026
SAN ANTONIO (May 11, 2026) — The City of San Antonio World Heritage Office invites the public to the “Gathering Circle” Dedication and Blessing on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 3100 Roosevelt Ave., 78214. Pre-ceremonial drumming will take place at 10:15 a.m. with the dedication scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
The free event will celebrate the traditions of the drum circle and honor the enduring presence of San Antonio’s Indigenous peoples and community. The community will be invited to join the circle and drum, following the blessing.
“Building on the ideas of community and unity, the ‘Gathering Circle’ will not only bring people together, but it will also be an educational space for the next generation to learn about the culture and traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of San Antonio,” said District 3 Councilmember Phyllis Viagran. “It will continue to honor the ancestors of those who worked and lived on these lands for generations to come.”
Designed by local artist Adriana Garcia and titled the “Gathering Circle,” the circle symbolizes the interconnectedness of life and the universe. Deeply rooted in spiritual practices and traditions, it is also a symbol of unity and the cyclical nature of life, fostering harmony.
“The World Heritage Office has worked hand-in-hand with our community,” said Colleen Swain, Director of the World Heritage Office. “Thanks to their unwavering support, and to partners such as the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants, Tehuan Band of Mission Indians, and the Native American Inter-Tribal Group, this project became possible. We are thrilled to offer a space where people can continue to gather and celebrate.”
Constructed on the historic Mission Drive-In property, the “Gathering Circle” is located near the historic San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and adjacent to the World Heritage Center and Mission Marquee Plaza.
Information on the World Heritage Office is available at SanAntonio.Gov/WorldHeritage.