Craig — Moffat County’s colorful past is rivaled perhaps only by its colorful present, captured and depicted in diverse styles by local artists featured in the Museum of Northwest Colorado’s Best of Moffat Country in Art and Photography show set to open Thursday.

The event kicks off with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Museum of Northwest Colorado at 590 Yampa Ave. in Craig, featuring tasty treats and entertainment from local musicians.

Paintings, drawings and photography from 27 local artists will decorate the walls of the newly re-modeled rooms in the rear of the museum, as well as the upstairs halls.

“We’ve got every end of the spectrum, from people who this is the first time they’ve shown their work to people who show all over,” said the show’s organizer, Mary Pat Dunn. “I’m hoping it will open doors for some newer artists.”

Though this won’t be the first time she’s shown her work, local watercolor painter Terri Robertson tends to sell most of her work online and rarely shows in Craig.

“I think that there are a lot of really talented artists in Craig,” Robertson said. “I think it would be nice to have something annually.”

Robertson’s paintings feature local landscapes and natural scenes including the rugged canyons of western Moffat County, richly colored flowers and aspens.

Craig native Solomon Herrera’s paintings will also be part of the exhibit, and he hopes to see the community continue to do more to celebrate its art.

“I think it’s very important that there are opportunities like this,” Herrera said. “I think Craig definitely has the capacity to grow a really good art scene.”

Dunn hopes to see the community and local businesses show their support to fledgling and established artists alike, adding that the show includes many gift-priced pieces as the holiday season approaches.

The show runs through Dec. 30. For more information, call 970-824-6360.

Contact Lauren Blair at 970-875-1794 or lblair@CraigDailyPress.com.