The Vibrations of the Legacy of St. EOM still Resonate through New Art & Pasafest

Artist Eddie Owens Martin, known as St. EOM, changed the world of art as we knew it when he shared his vision through the wonderland of Pasaquan. An entire world of its own, Pasaquan features Eddie’s work, ideas, stories, music, and spirit. The seven acre site located in Buena Vista has been restored by the Kohler Foundation and preserved by Columbus State University and is an off-campus extension of the university’s programs as well as a public museum. 

St. EOM was more than just an artist; he was a visionary, a spiritualist, and he changed the landscape of the artistic south by unapologetically painting the landscape in his own patterns and hues. Pasaquan was his sacred space of exploration and exhibition, a place where he could express himself openly and invite others to join him in doing so. 

Today, Pasaquan is carefully preserved by a force of many people who understand the value of this unique place and the person who created it. Caretaker Charles Fowler, an artist himself, has made the premises his home. He works closely with the Director of Pasaquan Michael McFalls, who is also a Professor of Art at Columbus State University. “Charles and I make a good team,“ McFalls says. Their work to promote programs and exhibits featuring St. EOM and works inspired by him ensures that his art achieves its purpose of bringing color to the world and challenging people to expand their minds. These collaborations have taken the work of St. EOM to cities far from home such as Chicago, Atlanta, NYC and even Paris. 

The support of CSU has been an integral part of making Pasaquan accessible to local students. The university got involved with the site around 2014, and along with the Kohler Foundation, has invested much into the preservation of Pasaquan. 

As for the influence Pasaquan has on CSU students, the site provides an opportunity for experimentation and the crossing of department lines. “It’s an interdisciplinary creative center,” says McFalls. While it may seem relatable primarily to art students, other departments have found ways to become involved and lend their unique talents and knowledge to projects and preservation. Issues such as paint restoration have brought in the chemistry department, for example. 

CSU is known for having a robust art program, and our community enjoys the many benefits of the artists that come from and emerge from the program. 

Charles Fowler came from the art program at CSU to Pasaquan where he eventually assumed his role as caretaker. His work at Pasaquan ranges from leading tours to repairing walls. His own work as an artist has taken shape within the walls of Pasaquan, unique in its own right, but colorfully inspired by the time spent immersed in the art of St. EOM. 

Pasafest is a music and art festival inspired by that work and has been held at Pasaquan annually since 2018. The festival features a setlist of musicians who are carefully curated in keeping with the vibes and vision of St. EOM. “We look for eclectic music that isn’t mainstream,” McFalls explains. “We want you to have an experience. We want to expose you to something new.” Additionally, a strong emphasis is put on finding musicians from the Buena Vista area or nearby region, whose art gives a nostalgic nod to the nuances and flavors of the area. 

“Over the years, the Georgia music scene found their way to Pasaquan, and even now they do,” Fowler explains. “Eddie’s passion was bringing artists together and building the artistic community, and he continues to accomplish that to this day.” In addition, the Pasaquan Preservation Society, of which Charles Fowler and McFalls are part, works to find the artists featured at Pasafest. The organization works to coordinate Pasafest and other projects that benefit Pasaquan. 

Because of COVID, Pasafest was canceled for 2020. Not wanting to do away with the careful planning that had gone into 2020 Pasafest, Charles Fowler, McFalls and the PPS got to work on a limited edition album featuring musicians who were to be featured at the festival. “We wanted to offer a tangible product,” McFalls says. “The vinyl LP will act as a “de-centralized version of Pasafest. Since people could not gather in one place for the festival this year, we wanted to bring the festival to them.” 

The project was a collaborative undertaking that brought artists individually to Pasaquan to record their music live on set, surrounded by the artwork of St. EOM. As a promotion for the album, videos of the artists’ performances at Pasaquan have been released weekly on Facebook, Instagram and on the website of the producing company, Institute 193. The videos were shot by Matt Hanner of Motion House Media, with Matthew McCabe, assistant professor of audio technology at CSU, on mixing and sound. The album cover is by Guy Mendes who photographed Eddie on-site many years ago. 

The enthusiasm with which Fowler and McFalls speak about the Pasafest album is contagious and makes one eager to experience it. Fowler, McFalls and the PPS have sought out musicians who vibe on frequencies in tune with the spirit of St. EOM, and have curated a collection of music that carries on his legacy. Strands of folk, psychedelica, southern nostalgic longing for home, eclectic energies, and more all make up the sounds of Pasafest. 

There will only be 500 vinyl copies of the album, which is set to be released in mid-March. Copies of the album can be pre-ordered through Institute 193. All proceeds from the album go directly back into the restoration and maintenance of Pasaquan. 

In addition to music, visual art is featured at Pasafest, and artists are carefully curated for the festival just as musicians are. The artwork of artists who were set to be at Pasafest is being displayed virtually by, Lauren Cantrell, at pasaquanpreservationsociety.com. This virtual art display ranges from folk to fine art and is free for all to explore and enjoy and is a way to recognize and promote the artists. 

Pasaquan is not just about preserving the spirit of St. EOM and his work; it is also about inspiring new work. Art begs a response, and artists who visit Pasaquan find that Eddie’s artwork is no exception. “When we bring other artists to the site to respond, it results in new art,” says McFalls. In this way, art is perpetuated by the inspiration of more art. 

Pasaquan is about exploration and discovery, an awakening of the senses both physical and spiritual. The art of St. EOM is a celebration of human enlightenment and the quest for a deeper connection with the universe. It is the goal of Michael McFalls to make Pasaquan accessible for everyone to experience. “Eddie Owens Martin’s masterpiece is a way to bring artists and build a community further than we can imagine,” Fowler says. 

The site reopened in January and is back to normal hours: Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. In consideration of the health of visitors, masks are required and only ten visitors are allowed inside the house at a time. 

By Natalie Downey