Pasaquan: Where Art is a Spirtual Experience

At some point in life, if not for all of it, more of us than not feel like we don’t fit in. But in the last couple of decades, it seemed as though the world was opening up, growing more accepting, and making room for those who’d previously concealed parts of themselves. Over the past year, though, the tides feel like they are ebbing back towards the before times. In the last year, though, making people want to crawl into dark caves, or, less drastically, withdraw into a perfect world of their own creation.

A world beautiful according to one’s own eye.

A world of peace and calm free of outside pressures and unwanted criticism.

A world where one is not only accepted, but revered.

A world so captivating and vibrant, others want to step inside.

I’ve built perceived utopias through scriptwriting. My geopolitics-loving kid once built a new country, the Qwinish Empire complete with its own language - Qwinish, culture and religion - Quidaism, GDP, trade relationships, maps and art, placing themself squarely at the center of their own ideal universe. 

While the empire attracted a few recruits to the Qwinish way of life, it didn’t expand much beyond imagination, maps, drawings, and an introductory language video.

But decades earlier, a man living what might be called a colorful life in New York after not feeling at home in his native Georgia, experienced a vision from an otherworldly being that commanded him to follow Pasaquoyanism. This -ism didn’t quite catch on, but the manifestation of it remains today.

The man was folk artist and sole Pasaquoyanism devotee, Eddie Owens Martin, later known as St. EOM (ohm).

About two hours outside of Atlanta near Buena Vista, GA, St. EOM transformed his mother’s property into what is now known as Pasaquan, a ‘unique art environment’ as its caretakers call it, which incorporates pre-Columbian Mexican, African, and Native American cultural and religious symbolism.

Though St. EOM never brought the masses to the path to Pasaquoyanism, he left behind something more enduring: a vivid and immersive world that is more than an art installation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Pasaquan’s saturated colors and intricated patterns, and curious structures attract visitors and artists to this otherwise quiet corner of Georgia.

A part of Columbus State University (CSU) since 2016, interns help maintain and preserve the site, which hosts workshops, lectures, retreats, and performances.  According to CSU, the heart of Pasaquan’s mission is encourage dialogue that promotes self-exploration. Like many art institutions, Pasaquan aims to deepen visitors’ overall understanding of art.  More importantly, though, it strives to inspire people to creatively express themselves.

As children and young adults, we’re often told: If you don’t like something change it or work to change it.