Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Since its establishment in 2004, the space at 24823 Canal Road has served as a vibrant gallery, showcasing and facilitating unique art sales. For nearly twenty years, it was known as the Prosperous Pelican, under the stewardship of the late Lee and Nancy Wright—locally esteemed figures who meticulously curated an extensive collection that adorned the area from floor to ceiling.

Nick Cantrell, the new proprietor, reflects on the gallery's legacy, noting its longstanding role as a community hub for art transactions in Orange Beach. He expresses a sense of continuity, saying, “In a way, I’m carrying a torch for Nancy, and I’m proud to do that.” This conveys both a personal commitment and a dedication to preserving the venue's cultural significance.

As a community-minded individual and fellow artist, Nick stepped in after Nancy’s passing to help sort through the art and return pieces to their rightful owners, which sparked his interest in buying the space. While he was on this pathway of thinking, another art-loving couple from Fairhope, Alabama, had already expressed interest in the venue. When Nick learned who the new owners were, he recalled the moment with excitement, stating, “Lo and behold, it turned out to be Tony and Tamara Scott!”

Nick, who modestly describes himself as a travelling tent artist, reflects on how everything aligned perfectly to bring them to this moment. Five years prior, at an art show in Key West, he met the couple. After a thoughtful conversation, he realized he was with individuals who truly understood art. Some might even say this connection was meant to be. Fast forward to their ownership, Nick placed his art in Scott's gallery—The Pink Pelican—and successfully sold pieces there for 4 years, cultivating a fruitful relationship.

Now, alongside his wife Maya, they proudly opened the doors for the first time on Friday, January 16th, as the new owners of the gallery and frame shop. The turnout exceeded their expectations, offering a breath of fresh air and marking the beginning of a new chapter in a creative space long in the making.

“It didn't blow away; it’s all still here,” Maya said the following morning, still in awe of their well-deserved brick-and-mortar establishment—Studio Cantrell. For years, the pair traveled the local art circuits often together, rain or shine, setting up their art tents. Maya Cantrell, the resident clay artist at the Orange Beach Art Center for over a decade, sighed with relief and chuckled, appreciating the secure space to showcase artwork rather than battling unpredictable weather under tents.

For nearly 13 years, Nick has been a well-known name on the art circuit, participating in as many as 26 shows a year from Virginia Beach to Myrtle Beach, Cocoa Beach along the Gulf Coast of Florida, Bonita Springs, and all the way to Corpus Christi, Texas. When asked if he would still attend shows, he laughed and said, “Now it will be more like 10 a year; I’ll be keeping the good ones.”

Throughout these traveling years, both Nick and Maya have learned the ebbs and flows of the business and have met and befriended many incredible artists along the way, some of whom have never shown their work in Alabama until now. The Cantrells are committed to showcasing local talent, stating, “This will always be a place for local art. We're local, and so is Ching, an 82-year-old fine line artist who is well-respected, along with Tony Krysinsky, who has been on the scene three times as long as we have and is like a mentor, setting a tone for a high standard.” Currently on display at Studio Cantrell are works from both local artists and carefully selected pieces from Nick's travels.

He explains his vision with a smile: “I happen to know some artists, and they trust me with their work. I want the studio to represent those I admire and look up to—good people that I believe in.” There are currently seven wall-hanging artists on display, along with various mixed media pieces available at Studio Cantrell. This includes fiber goods by Loretta, who uses real leaves and watercolor to create one-of-a-kind clothing; sculpture art featuring original pieces from Maya Earth; funky fish by Jesse Alfonzo; fine art jewelry by Tara Grifford; and much more.

The Cantrells are a family dedicated to community-driven works and artistry that extends beyond just Nick and Maya. They are also parents to two talented individuals in their own right, both of whom have served at the local level as sail camp instructors for the City of Orange Beach. Finch Cantrell began his creative journey much like his father, drawing from an early age, and eventually discovered his preference for visual art through a lens and a screen. His work was first showcased with bold black-and-white photos displayed at the Wharf during the Seafood Festival, capturing the beauty in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, which hit on September 16, 2020—the first hurricane to make landfall in Alabama since Ivan in 2004.

Ayla Cantrell, a multifaceted creative, began mastering the art of drawing with henna-based media at just six years old, frequently participating in local charitable events such as High Hopes for Autism at Pirates Cove. Ayla was the first student from Orange Beach Middle/High School to have her artwork selected for a statewide exhibition displayed at the Capitol in Montgomery. In the summer, you can find her sharing her joyful talent with others through henna art, hair wraps, and temporary tattoos as part of the YUM art collective group.

The Cantrells have been actively involved in their community through various fundraising initiatives and collectives over the 30 years they’ve been growing together. “There’s hardly a silent auction, fundraising event, or charity on or around the island that we don’t contribute to in some way, and we’re happy to do so,” expresses Nick. Both are active members of Friends of the Arts in Orange Beach, participating in the facilitation of annual events like “Orange Beach Festival of Arts” and "Light Up the Arts.”  Their commitment expands far and wide from the Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church to newer non-profits like the Coastal Wildlife Center, as they both play a significant role in shaping community events and conservation efforts, providing a strong foundation in the state they are proud to call home. 

More highlights of this power couple include Nick’s five years of service on the Board of Friends of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge and extends to the Mississippi’s Sandhill Crane initiatives. These efforts help attract retail stores to parks for supportive funding and more. Maya, described by Nick as the “hidden powerhouse”, is involved in numerous local and statewide organizations. She serves on the steering committee for the Alabama Clay Conference and has hosted the event twice in Orange Beach, in 2020 and 2024. Through this involvement, she became a board member of the Alabama Visual Arts Network, which organizes the clay conference, printmaking symposium, and fine arts symposium, where she also serves as Treasurer.

Maya was excited to share all about one of the new initiatives she is currently working on with ALVAN, called the Alabama Art Trail. The project is a statewide digital and interactive art experience featuring artists, galleries, art centers, museums, and, of course, Studio Cantrell. “As you travel throughout the state, you can find out what artistic offerings are available near you,” she explains. Which is something any art lover or connoisseur can appreciate. 

It is reasonable to conclude that Studio Cantrell and the influential collaborators behind it, while already established, are only beginning to make their impactful mark. As a community and a state, we can look forward to significant developments on the horizon. Maya expressed this sentiment well when stating that we will “constantly be evolving as we get along,” and as a community, we are excited to follow with these advancements. The studio will also function as a custom framing workshop, allowing art collectors to bring pieces for precise framing solutions and offering framing services for any in-house art purchased without a frame.

More on ‘Art by Nick’: his technique and the rise from humble beginnings to becoming a well-known artist and studio owner—every stroke of the way.

“I was always a kid who could draw,” explains Nick as he prepares to share how it all started and the burst of possibilities that emerged from his love for art, evolving into a stunning enterprise. Although he had a natural talent for drawing, he continually struggled with color. “I found myself experimenting with different materials and techniques, trying to figure out how to achieve the right colors,” he recalls, but with no success—yet he never gave up. 

“About 12 to 13 years ago, I stumbled across these materials, and it was like Eureka! I finally found it.” Since that moment, nothing has been the same. Reflecting on his journey, he grins and shakes his head, still somewhat in disbelief about how everything took flight. “I went from struggling with color to being known for it in a matter of months,” he says, concluding with confidence while still in wonderment about his achievements. 

For just $35, he boldly took his newfound color technique straight to Meyer Park, where he showcased this artwork combo for the first time. It was during this event that he was encouraged to apply for the National Shrimp Festival. Following the advice, he applied and, much to his surprise, was accepted. 

Nick graciously recalls borrowing money to attend this festival: “I had to take off work to be there, so I had to make up for the time I was missing.” After spending four days at the famous festival and making a significant profit, he claims, “Wow, this is viable! I could actually make a living doing this.” He then started applying to spring shows in Orange Beach and Fairhope, and the rest is history still in the making. The Cantrells completed the sale as the new owners of the Pink Pelican in October 2025. “We signed the paperwork on the way to Shrimp Fest, where we officially announced that Studio Cantrell, Gallery and Framing, would be opening soon.” This being a perfect milestone in their incredible journey. Since attending his first National Shrimp Festival all those years ago, Nick has gone on to win multiple awards there, including Best of Show in Fine Arts and the Mayor’s Choice Award, among others.

Who would have thought that connecting the dots and discovering his unique approach to color through Batik art—a combination of wax and watercolor layered over his coastal-inspired drawings—would lead him and Maya to create the collective epicenter that is now Studio Cantrell? He describes this space as somewhat exclusive for artists, consistently stating that its walls will be filled with work from  “people we know and believe in.”