Gulf Coast Signs offers up one-of-a-kind art for everyone | New Business
When Mike Purcell moved to Pensacola in 2013 from Michigan after serving in the U.S. Navy for 27 years, he got a job at the Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum. But it wasn't just any job. It was his dream job.
"I was the facilities curator for five years," he said. "I wanted to keep working there forever, but that job ended in 2018."
That year would bring more changes for Purcell. Enter his wife, Karen.
"It's been a ride since we met," Karen Purcell said. "We met on match.com in May 2017. I saw his profile and thought, ‘He's either really funny or a smart ass.' He had a very sarcastic sense of humor, but he's been a good one. We got married at the lighthouse months later in 2018. Our friends put it all together for us. There were lots of cakes. No food, just cake."
Together, they created a creative partnership, launching Ambassador Graphics.
"I'll admit, it's hard to be creative when you're working full-time," Mike Purcell said. "Karen lets me do the creative stuff. It's great when your wife allows you to do it."
However, things slowed down shortly after. Karen was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease right before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"We've been home together for three years," she said. "When COVID happened, everyone had to slow down. When it comes to my health, I'm a wild card every day, so we have to take it one day at a time."
Amid the uncertainty, the Purcells took things in stride, moving at a steady pace. But it was another storm that breathed new life into their business — Hurricane Sally.
"My neighbor's fence was destroyed during the hurricane," Mike Purcell said. "I thought to myself, 'We should be able to use it for something.' Karen let me bring it home."
His wife added, "I had no idea what I was doing when I said he could bring it home, but I knew this was what he was meant to do. Mike didn't believe in himself, and I encouraged him to focus on woodworking. He's always loved wood."
And at that moment, Gulf Coast Signs came to life.
"After the hurricane, the wood kept coming," Mike Purcell said. "I was given wood from church pews. I go up and down the beach and to the Gulf State Park and collect wood most days. I salvage wood that's put out on the street. It all tells a story. The wood itself holds value and meaning. I experimented with painting, printing on the wood."
Just in time for the holidays, they have a full inventory of signs and one-of-a-kind art for everyone. You can find Gulf Coast Signs featured at the Apple Market in Pensacola, Trim a Tree and the Pearl Galleria at the Tanger Outlets in Foley, Alabama, and Red Beard's in Summerdale, Alabama, to name a few.
"It's important to shop local and support local art," Karen Purcell said. "When you purchase something from a small business, that pumps it right back into the community and encourages people to embrace their own inner artist."
From recreated highway signs to words of encouragement and sayings with a touch of sass, each sign is unique. But signs aren't the only thing you can buy this holiday season. Mike Purcell's screen printing and art, featuring the lighthouse and the spaceship house on Pensacola Beach, also can be found.
"Every work of art has a story to tell," he said. "I like that I get to draw from my experience at the Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum and be able to share these stories. There's Easter eggs hidden in everything I do. You'll see a 'K,' which is for my wife Karen and my daughter Kristin. You'll see a 'B,' for my daughter Blair, and a 'C,' for my son, Christopher. But if you ask who the blonde lady featured in the bottom right corner of the Spaceship House pictures, I will have to tell you the story about Pearl Clarkin, the country music artist in Nashville that owns that house."
For more information and to see the full collection, visit linktr.ee/Ambassadorgraphics or call 850-281-2452.
Kalyn Wolfe is a freelance columnist for the News Journal. Send new business tips to pcolanewbiz@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Coast Signs offers up one-of-a-kind art for everyone | New Business
