Mai Tiki

Over the past 30 years, Mai Tiki has developed a reputation as one of the places to see in the Central Florida area. It is an art studio and gallery that grew out of the work of Wayne Coombs, who founded Mai Tiki in 1973 to produce and exhibit hand-carved Tikis and colorful paintings.

Coombs' style is distinctive, and it is credited by many as the being the basis for designs that define the look of Tiki images throughout the world today. On sale here are many of the artist's original works, especially "Totem Style" stacked faces as well as flat back Tikis that can be mounted on walls.

Also of interest are Coomb's hand-carved masks, which are fashioned out of palm tree husks to create distinctive characters. Each mask is unique, and no two are identical. The paintings on sales here are equally creative, most of them portraying Tiki-type profiles or tropical scenes.

Mai Tiki is located a short five-minute walk to the beach at 251 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931-2958. Above the gallery are all-new, fully furnished studio apartments that can be rented by the day week or month, too. Each one comes with its own kitchen and a king-size bed.