Memorial Day 1995 was an auspicious occasion, marking the first time an Eyeopeners tour left Texas. In three and a half days, we covered over 500 miles of the Deep South and visited some of the most gifted artists of our time.

Our first stop was "Yo!" self-taught artist Lonnie Holley's sculpture environment in Birmingham, Alabama. Lonnie and his children showed us sandstone pieces, found object sculptures and works on paper in progress, and Lonnie gave one of his patented demonstrations. Then, with a Ted Hawkins soundtrack, we took off for Montgomery and soul food. Our hostess was Georgine Clark, Director of the Kentuck Museum and its renowned annual festival for twenty years. Her personal collection is spectacular! Another treat was seeing art car artist Armour Keller on her own turf. The next morning, Marcia Weber hosted breakfast at her gallery. That day in Montgomery was packed! We had a wonderful time with Mose Tolliver, saw the grave of Hank Williams, visited Maya Lin's Civil Rights Memorial, stopped by Annie Tolliver's house and spent some time with Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Rice at the Cross Garden. We walked around the Tin Man's amazing sculpture garden, with Charlie Lucas himself as our guide. Annie Lucas brought out her beautiful paintings and quilts, too.

Late that afternoon we arrived at the Land of Pasaquan, Eddie O. Martin's (St. EOM's) masterwork of visionary architecture in Buena Vista, Georgia. Tom Hallis, caretaker, and Fred Fussell, the man most responsible for preserving the site after St. EOM's death, treated us to a tour at twilight. (SEE TALES OF THE TOURS) We stretched our bus weary legs with a walk through Buena Vista to visit St. EOM's grave, a surprisingly plain plot next to his mother in the Primitive Baptist Cemetery.

Sunday morning we headed for Atlanta where Joanne Cubbs graciously opened the High Museum's Center for Folk Art. We got to see the Ellis Ruley retrospective and preview plans for pieces from Howard Finster's Paradise Garden. Bill Arnett gave an intense tour of a small part of his collection, amazing canvases and stirring works on paper by Thornton Dial, astonishing constructions of Lonnie Holley's and fine work by Ronald Lockett. After just a glimpse of Atlanta, we headed back to Alabama to the home and studio of Thornton Dial. We were grateful for his insight into moving works-in progress on a staggering number of issues.

Our final stop: the Ave Maria Grotto, created by Brother Joseph Zoetl in Cullman, Alabama, open to the public in 1934. After visiting artists grappling with contemporary issues in profound and passionate ways, the Grotto reminded us that the drive to create is timeless. In the shady grove of the Grotto, we all gave thanks for the courage and generosity of the artists we visited and everyone who supports their work.