Tag Archives: Mai Tiki

Wayne Coombs’ Mai Tiki Studio

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Tiki Sites and Stores and tagged with ,

Mai Tiki sign

And, finally, part two of my post about Wayne Coombs’ Mai Tiki Studio and Gallery in Cocoa Beach, Florida…

Palms outside the Mai Tiki Studio

Outside, a couple of palm trees were propped up against the wall, waiting to meet their destiny of being carved into tikis.

Tiki fountain

After browsing through the gallery, we also got to take a look in the studio. This is where the magic happens! That big guy was in the process of being molded into a giant tiki fountain.

More tikis

Wayne Coombs himself was there that day and it was awesome to chat with him. Of course, I was having such a good time that I forgot to get a photo op. 🙂

Thatched tiki hut

A pretty impressive thatched hut out in the back—would have been perfect for taking shelter during a sudden storm, like the one that you can see happened while we were there. Though I suppose in Florida it’s not so much “sudden” as “inevitable.”

Tiki-blanca

I really loved the juxtaposition of this tiki and the “Casablanca” mural next door. Can it be just a coincidence that he and Humphrey have similar expressions and hand positioning?

Go Ahead...Make Mai Day

Editor’s Note: Wayne Coombs passed away in September 2012. The Mai Tiki gallery closed its doors in November 2013, following a celebration of Coombs’ 40 years of art at the Space Coast Art Festival in Cocoa Beach.

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Mai Tiki Gallery – Cocoa Beach, FL

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Tiki Sites and Stores and tagged with , ,

Now entering Cocoa Beach

After we’d spent a few days at Disney World and donated enough money to The Mouse, my family was gracious enough to make the hour-ish trek through a Florida monsoon out to Cocoa Beach.

Mai Tiki gallery

This small seaside town just south of Cape Canaveral is home to Mai Tiki—the gallery and studio of tiki artist Wayne Coombs. He’s been carving tikis for more than 40 years, but he also does paintings and mixed media.

Freedom tiki

It was great fun looking through the Mai Tiki gallery. I was especially drawn to this piece, but you can probably attribute that to the fact that my birthday is the fourth of July. Guess I was born to love fireworks.

'I get my lovin' on the run...'

I hadn’t gone there with the intention of purchasing my first carved tiki, but then I couldn’t walk away from these happy little dudes. His tikis with this particular grinning expression are named “The Joker.” Another signature of Coombs’ style is to have a symbol on the forehead such as a hibiscus flower, crown or pineapple (referencing welcome and hospitality). Decisions, decisions…

Mai Tiki studio apartments

Upstairs from the gallery are studio apartments which can be rented. There are a few tiki touches, mostly on the outside it seems. (Interior shots and pricing info here, if you’re curious/planning a relaxing Florida vacay.)

Mai Tiki tikis

The beach is just a few blocks away, and it looked quite beautiful after the storm.

Cocoa Beach

Editor’s Note: Wayne Coombs passed away in September 2012. The Mai Tiki gallery closed its doors in November 2013, following a celebration of Coombs’ 40 years of art at the Space Coast Art Festival in Cocoa Beach.

Mai Tiki Gallery
251 Minutemen Causeway
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
321-783-6890