The official artist signature of Kevin G. Saunders.

The World Heritage Missions Collection

A grand-scale KGS Studios fine art piece of Mission San José, displayed as a mural in a modern, expansive corporate lobby.
Mission San José, rendered at Grand Scale for a public space. From the World Heritage Missions Collection.

A Moment Lost to Time,
A Legacy of Proven Foresight

The definitive artistic record of a city is rarely created by committee; it is captured by a single artist with the foresight to see what is about to be lost forever. Created in 2015, the World Heritage Missions Collection is San Antonio’s “Eugène Atget” moment—a final, perfect view of our shared heritage at the precise, unrepeatable moment of their UNESCO induction, before being irrevocably changed by renovations and the rebuilding of Alamo Plaza. It is not just a collection of art; it is a cultural time capsule.

A Project Forged in Conviction

This project was born from an epiphany following a meeting with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff in the fall of 2015. Recognizing that a small window of time existed to capture the Missions at their historic peak, artist Kevin G. Saunders undertook an intense, self-funded two-month race against the clock. This dedication to preserving the historic moment required months of painstaking post-production, stitching together hundreds of images to create each massive, hyperrealistic mosaic.

An Immortal Asset &
A Legacy of Stewardship

Like a legendary 1868 vintage of Château Lafite Rothschild, the value of this collection extends far beyond the physical prints. It is an immortal, appreciating asset class. The full portfolio includes not only the museum-grade art but the entire intellectual property—a tangible legacy with a projected 300-year lifespan, ensuring its story and value will endure for generations.

A Public Trust:
The Collection on Display

KGS Studios fine art from the Missions Collection on public display at the San Antonio International Airport.
The complete KGS Studios World Heritage Missions Collection, featuring five framed fine art pieces, on public display as a gallery wall in the main concourse of the San Antonio International Airport.
Public Scale works from the World Heritage Missions Collection on display at the San Antonio International Airport.

This collection has already been recognized as a significant cultural asset. Public Scale works from the World Heritage Missions Collection are featured on permanent display at the San Antonio International Airport, providing millions of visitors a year with a powerful first impression of our city’s history and artistic excellence.

The Vision for Patronage

Acquiring a set is an act of modern civic leadership, in the tradition of the Medici family’s visionary patronage that defined the brand of Florence for centuries. It offers a patron the chance to become a caretaker for the brand of San Antonio, securing a permanent legacy as a champion of its cultural heritage.

Paths to Patronage

This collection offers a profound opportunity for a visionary patron or syndicate to become the steward of this historic asset. To fully understand the technical mastery, the artist’s journey, and the two distinct paths to acquiring this collection, we invite you to explore the complete story and project archives on our detail page.

Explore the Full Story & Archive