Pasaquan, a colorful cultural site now officially part of Columbus State University, made CNN’s list of “16 intriguing things to see and do in the U.S. in 2016.”

The quirky, artistic community in Buena Vista joins an impressive group of new attractions and breathtaking locations across the nation highlighted on the global news source’s online travel section: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/08/travel/united-states-travel-destinations-2016/index.html/

“We expect this to be the first of many recognitions for Pasaquan,” said CSU President Chris Markwood. “We are thrilled to have Pasaquan as part of the university and excited to watch it develop as a cultural site, tourist attraction and educational outreach center.”
 
Pasaquan staked up against captivating places like Alaska’s national parks; Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington; the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail in New Mexico; and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Los Angeles.
 
Self-taught artist Eddie Owens Martin created the 7-acre art environment named Pasaquan. The vibrant project features six major structures and hundreds of feet of psychedelic-painted totems, artifacts and fence.

During 2014, philanthropic organization Kohler Foundation started preserving Pasaquan, which is slated for completion by spring of this year.

The project is one of the largest art environment, preservation initiatives Kohler Foundation has taken on.
 
The work includes both object and painting conservation with conservators coming from International Artifacts (Houston) and Parma Conservation (Chicago). Local tradespeople under general contractor T.G. Gregory also addressed structural concerns and functionality in Pasaquan’s six buildings.

During 2015, Gov. Nathan Deal presented the Pasaquan Preservation Society with the Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities for its efforts to help preserve Pasaquan as well.

Today, CSU Foundation owns the property, which Kohler gifted to the university during December 2015. Renovations to the site are still in progress.
 
“This CNN news just underscores all the hard work PPS, Kohler and CSU students have been doing at Pasaquan,” said Michael McFalls, associate professor of art at CSU overseeing the site and its programming. “Our students from the Art Department, Department of Communication, and Department of History and Geography continue to be involved in documentation, organization of archives, developing a marketing plan and assisting with the conservation process. Pasaquan has already become a true experiential, interdisciplinary learning environment.”
 
Pasaquan is set to open to the public mid-May with a grand opening scheduled during October.