The Crossroads Gallery

Call Directions Website

The Crossroads Gallery Gallery selling Fine Art Photographs by Inspirational Photographer and Author Michael Blanchard. Art work of other artists in rotating exhibitions.

What a Way to Finish the Derby!I got up from a two-hour nap late this afternoon. The flu, fever and sinus mess had turne...
10/18/2026

What a Way to Finish the Derby!

I got up from a two-hour nap late this afternoon. The flu, fever and sinus mess had turned into asthma and kept me up most of last night. But I felt a little better after the nap and needed to get out. With the final weigh-in at 7:00, I wondered if there were any crazy Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby, Inc. fisherpeople still out there trying to catch the big one in the final hour. I drove around. Nobody. The wind was blowing 25, it was in the 40s — the coldest air of the year — and I figured I’d make one last pass by West Chop just to check out the sunset. Nobody would be there.

Of course, I was wrong. There was one person standing in the surf, still fishing. And just as I got there, the sun hit the horizon and lit everything up in this magnificent, fiery red glow. For me, these photos pretty much sum up the spirit of the Derby.You never give up. You fish until the last minute. It’s been an amazing Derby. I’ve met some wonderful people along the way, and as always, thank you for letting me chase you around the Island and take your pictures!

The awards ceremony is tomorrow morning. We’ll see how I feel. I certainly don’t want to share whatever I have with everyone else! Thanks for letting me come along for the ride. What a way to finish.

These May Be It!My body has decided to get sick, and I’m pretty miserable today, so these may be my last Derby photos fo...
10/15/2026

These May Be It!

My body has decided to get sick, and I’m pretty miserable today, so these may be my last Derby photos for this year. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, but I’ve got to be in good shape for the final ceremony on Sunday!

As usual, I’ve loved chasing people around the Island during the Derby—from Edgartown Light to West Chop, Menemsha and everywhere in between. I even managed to catch a fish myself!

Each year, I put all of my Derby photos together into a movie with music—a little way of commemorating another season and all the people who make it special. I’m always proud to sponsor the Derby and provide my canvas prints as part of the prize packages for the winners. Looking forward to Sunday. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey and the photos along the way.

The Derby is a big part of what makes the Vineyard the Vineyard.

This Time on Martha’s Vineyard.A number of months ago, Geraldine Romano reached out and asked if she could use one of m...
10/13/2026

This Time on Martha’s Vineyard.

A number of months ago, Geraldine Romano reached out and asked if she could use one of my photographs for the cover of her new novel, This Time on Martha’s Vineyard.

The photo is one I took several years ago of the walkway leading to Edgartown Light, with the flowers in full bloom. Geraldine felt it captured the mood she wanted for her Martha’s Vineyard love story, and I was honored she chose it. Well, the book has officially been released! It’s now available at Edgartown Books and is making its way into some of our Island libraries.

For those of you off-Island, search Amazon on the book name.

Congratulations, Geraldine! I’m always honored when someone chooses one of my photographs to help tell their story. Wishing you great success with This Time on Martha’s Vineyard! I hope everyone enjoys it!

Well, I got on the leaderboard… barely! 😂Got out on a charter yesterday, and I’m always incredibly grateful just to be o...
10/12/2026

Well, I got on the leaderboard… barely! 😂

Got out on a charter yesterday, and I’m always incredibly grateful just to be out on the water. There were boats everywhere, but nobody was catching anything. The VHF was basically: “No fish.” “No fish.” “No fish.” Finally I said, “We need a Hail Mary!” Just before heading in, with the rain coming down, we caught a couple. Mine was really too small to brag about, but it got me on the board!

When Anne-Marie and I went to Derby Headquarters later, there were so many kids weighing in fish that I was proud of them — talk about dedication in the rain! If you’ve never been to Derby Headquarters, check out the old-fashioned chalkboard and everyone watching to see if the next fish bumps somebody off. And look at those names — Angie, Sherry and Lily. The women are kicking butt! The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby, Inc. is a family event. It’s not just Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild! 😂

One week until the awards ceremony Sunday. I did it — now back to taking pictures! Hope you have a great Indigenous Peoples Day!

LET THE WIND TAKE MEAs a sponsor of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby, Inc., I sometimes put pressure ...
10/09/2026

LET THE WIND TAKE ME

As a sponsor of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby, Inc., I sometimes put pressure on myself to get the photos. But I learned a long time ago that the best pictures usually come when I let go of expectations and just let the wind take me where it takes me. Photography has taught me a lot about acceptance. Don’t force it. Just show up, pay attention, and see what presents itself.

For those not familiar with the Derby, I try to capture the spirit of it — and it’s amazing how much that spirit changes as the sun crosses the sky and eventually sets. Different light, different colors, different people, different perspectives. So last night I just drove around the Island to see what I might find.I ended up in Menemsha, where the fishing has been pretty slow. I didn’t see anyone catch a single fish. Then I saw the fishing trawler coming into the harbor and thought, somebody called in the reinforcements! 😂 Pretty sure having a trawler bring fish to the weigh-in isn’t allowed under Derby rules. LOL!

Have a great day!

Address

93 Dukes County Avenue
Oak Bluffs, MA
02557

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+16174483934

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Crossroads Gallery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category