by Natalie Bradley, Flint Energies Community Connections Specialist

When we talked about starting the blog, one of the first places on my list to see and share was Pasaquan located in Buena Vista, Georgia, and I knew the perfect person to go with me to appreciate the artistry of this site. Marian McLemore is the Vice President of our Cooperative Communications Department, and she is also an artist, so we were excited about having a personal guided tour to learn more about the art as well as the man who created it all in Buena Vista!

When we pulled onto the property and stepped out of the car, we were immediately greeted with vibrant colors everywhere. The structures and artwork were an interesting eclectic mix of a mid-century rural Georgia home and buildings that looked like they were dropped in Buena Vista from Asia and Southwest America. The blending of the different styles and cultures was disorienting and fascinating all at once. Then, when we heard Eddie Owens Martin's story, later known as St. EOM, the composition seemed to make more sense. 

On the Pasaquan website, you can enjoy audio recordings of St. EOM speaking. He has a southern drawl you'd expect from a man living in this part of rural Georgia, but the way he speaks and the subjects he speaks about don't quite line up with what one would expect to hear. In a strange way, this juxtaposition draws you in to learn more about the artist and understand his story. In part, I think this is why Pasaquan attracts people from all over the world. 

The eccentric artist shared a vision he had with others, "You're gonna be the start of somethin' new, and you'll call yourself 'Saint EOM,' and you'll be a Pasaquoyan - the first one in the world." - St. EOM

Eddie Owens Martin, a self-taught Southern artist whose extraordinary journey led to the creation of the internationally acclaimed Pasaquan, a 7-acre visionary art environment bursting with vibrant cultural influences.

Eddie's artistic odyssey began at the tender age of 14, when he left his hometown of Buena Vista, Georgia, embarking on a hitchhiking adventure that took him to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and eventually settling in the bustling streets of New York. In the Big Apple, Eddie took on various roles, from street hustler to bartender, gambler to drag queen. At the age of 37, he even tried his hand at fortune-telling.

In 1957, after the passing of his mother, Eddie returned to Georgia, bringing with him the colorful experiences of his New York days. Embracing his newfound persona, he adorned himself in ravishing robes and feathered headdresses, adopting the name St. EOM (pronounced Ohm). The visionary artist used his unique fortune-telling skills to fund his grand vision of Pasaquan.

For 30 years, St. EOM dedicated himself to the creation of Pasaquan, fashioning six major structures, intricate mandala murals, and over 900 feet of elaborately painted masonry walls. The art environment seamlessly blends influences from African, pre-Columbian Mexico, and Native American cultures, intertwined with motifs inspired by Edward Churchward's books about "The Lost Continent of MU."

In 1986, St. EOM's declining health led him to a tragic end as he took his own life. Pasaquan, both literally and figuratively, began to fade; however, for three decades, the Pasaquan Preservation Society (PPS) tenaciously worked to keep the site alive. Then, in 2014, the philanthropic organization Kohler Foundation Inc., in collaboration with PPS and Columbus State University, undertook the monumental task of restoring and revitalizing the fading masterpiece.

The Pasaquan Preservation Project breathed new life into the art site, ensuring that St. EOM's legacy and the rich cultural tapestry he wove will continue to inspire and captivate visitors for years to come. Today, Pasaquan stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a self-taught Southern artist and the collective efforts of those who believe in preserving the magic of visionary art for generations to come.

The following is a statement of the vision of Pasaquan from the website:
 

"Pasaquoyanism has to do with the Truth, and with Nature, and the Earth, and man's lost rituals."

- St. EOM

For St. EOM, Pasaquan represents the future. It is his personal utopia, where all cultures and ethnic groups can come together in harmony and connect with the earth and the universe.

At Pasaquan, St EOM incorporated both spiritual concepts from ancient cultures and futuristic ideas of levitation transportation. In the end, St. EOM was able to communicate the traditions of Pasaquoyanism to the viewers of the future with colorful, pluralistic designs that cover the entire site.

Connecting to his genius to unite cultures and the universe around them, Columbus State University developed a mission, vision and education goals that celebrate and champion the humanitarian values Eddie Martin exhibited in his work.

CSU will also host performances, retreats, tours, artistic workshops and various education-focused programs and activities at Pasaquan to introduce visitors to St. EOM's extensive body of creative work for years to come.

Pasaquan is not quintessentially southern and does not appeal to everyone, but that's also why it's so fascinating. Eddie Owens Martin had a troubled past and he was highly creative, he enjoyed learning about the religions and spiritual practices of the world, and needed an outlet to express all of this. From the stories we heard, it also seems like he desperately wanted to be accepted and loved and wanted to create a sanctuary of sorts for others to feel the same way. I think this is why so many artists, in particular, are drawn to it. 

You can learn more, see the site's hours of operation to see Pasaquan for yourself, and see ongoing restoration of the art and grounds on the Pasaquan website and YouTube Channel.