One of my favorite visits was to Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs. This gallery features not only art from local talent, but also classes for the community, kids for camps, workshops, gallery shows, poetry readings and music.

There are several different buildings on the grounds. I mistakenly thought one of these buildings was the gallery, but they are workshops. One of them is for the children’s art camps.

However, you must drive up the hill to get to the gallery.

Once inside, I found a pleasant surprise — Ms. Ann Smith, the CEO of Featherstone, who has led the organization since 2010. Her mother, Francine Kelly, was the center’s executive director before Ms. Smith took over. Both women play a vital role in the history of Featherstone, and the gallery is named after Ms. Smith’s mother.

The beauty of the Vineyard is that everyone stands close to what they hold dear. When I walked into the shops on Circuit Avenue, I was often able to meet and chat with the owners of the shops. They were always there to meet and greet their customers. I really appreciated that, and it gives the Vineyard that “down home” feel.

I really enjoyed my stroll through the gallery. There were so many beautiful photos displayed.

There were also a lot of photos of local areas my family and I had visited during our stay. Before we drove to Aquinnah Cliffs, Ms. Smith showed us the picture of Aquinnah Cliffs and told us how to get to Menemsha early to get a good seat to watch the sunset. Menemsha is close to Aquinnah Cliffs. We followed her instructions and visited both that evening.

Picture of Aquinnah Cliffs

The pictures really don’t do these cliffs justice. The cliffs are absolutely stunning in person.

This is one of the landmarks in Menemsha where locals and tourists alike go to watch the sunset. I was also able to photograph this landmark once we arrived in Menemsha.

Someone also photographed the JAWS bridge with children jumping from the pier. We passed this bridge numerous times during our stay.

I enjoyed our time at Featherstone Center for the Arts, and I was extra excited about meeting Ms. Smith! She talked with Matt and me for a while before heading into a meeting. She was warm and welcoming. This is one of the reasons I love the island. If you are in Martha’s Vineyard, head over to Featherstone to see the beautiful art. Maybe you can visit during an evening when they do poetry readings or have outdoor music for guests. It was a great experience!