The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently announced that Pasaquan has been accepted into their prestigious Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios (HAHS) program. Pasaquan was included with six other sites from across the country that represent the rich diversity of the nation’s artistic legacy and provide a site-specific depiction of art history.

Pasaquan, an immersive, multiculturally inspired and internationally recognized visionary artist environment, was created by Eddie Owens Martin, a self-taught artist who drew inspiration from many colorful cultures. St. EOM, as he referred to himself, worked on the art environment for 30 years, creating six major structures, mandala murals and more than 900 feet of elaborately painted masonry walls.

Pasaquan lavishly fuses African, pre-Columbian Mexico and Native American cultural and religious symbols and designs, along with motifs inspired by Edward Churchward's books about "The Lost Continent of MU." For 30 years, the Pasaquan Preservation Society (PPS) worked tirelessly to preserve the site. During 2014, philanthropic organization Kohler Foundation Inc., PPS and Columbus State partnered to bring the visionary art site back to life. Today, the society and university continue its collaboration to operate and preserve the artistic site.

“The preservation of his art environment ensures St. EOM’s utopian vision of a better world—a place where all races, sexes, and religions live in harmony—is shared for generations to come.” said Michael McFalls, the director of Pasaquan and art professor at CSU.

This recognition comes as a preview to Pasafest, an annual celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 16, beginning at 11:00 am. Throughout the day, the festival will feature country, rock, and psychedelic music, with visual artists, food vendors, fortune tellers, and much more. Tickets can be purchased online for $20, at the gate for $30, and by CSU students and employees for $10.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios network is a peer-to-peer coalition of sites that brings these museums together to conserve the legacy of creativity in the visual arts in the U.S. Since its establishment by the National Trust in 1999, HAHS has developed into a successful community of practice, working with 55-member sites that more than one million visitors in nearly every part of the country. This network of sites leverages the knowledge and experience of individual members to benefit the entire coalition in critical areas, including historic preservation, visitor and community programming, and communications.

To schedule a visit to Pasaquan, or for more details, visit pasaquan.columbusstate.edu.