STAR HARBOR -- Seven years ago six residents got together to dabble in watercoloring. Now,the Star Harbor Watercolor Society has grown to 27 members who enter contests, win prizes and put on art shows. "It started off as several ladies getting together to share a love of watercolors," said Sharon Benningfield, one of the founding members of the group. "We took a class together and started learning how to paint." Now, the group produces art worthy for purchase by art lovers. The group will host its annual "For the Love of Art" show and sale at Star Harbor City Hall on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 to 5 p.m. About 100 pieces of art will be on display along with their award-winning artists. The group's mission statement reads, "The purpose of the society will be to develop the education of its members and stimulate the public interest in watercolor by sponsoring exhibits." This year, group members entered art shows and won awards at the Henderson County Art Center and the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. They also have had their work accepted by the Irving Art Association, the Main Street Gallery in Tyler, the Richardson Civic Art Society and the Southwestern Watercolor Society. "Our mission mainly is just to get together to learn more about watercolors and to share that with others," Benningfield said. "Most of us are grandmothers or hopeful grandmothers." The watercolor artists get together every Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the City Hall meeting room, staying until they get tired of talking and painting. Some days that is about noon, and other days it ends mid-afternoon. "It depends on what is going on and how many people show up," said Benningfield, who noted some of the members have art backgrounds and others don't. The group is also open to people who don't want to paint but are just interested in art, Benningfield said. The group also hosts lectures by accomplished artists who visit the area, she said. On Feb. 10, the group will host a seminar, "Photographing Your Artwork," at its regular Friday meeting led by Celene Terry. "It's really a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in art," Benningfield said. Anyone who wants to join the group and learn to paint is welcome, Benningfield said. Prospective members are not expected to be accomplished artists, she said. "We don't think we are accomplished so we don't expect anyone else to be," Benningfield said. Star Harbor City Hall is north of Malakoff. Turn on FM 3062 at the Malakoff Fire Station on Hwy 198, continue past Malakoff High School 1.4 miles into Star Harbor and veer left. City Hall is at 99 Sunset Blvd. near the golf course. For information call Benningfield at 903-489-2949. Pictured below is Selwyn Wilson with her painting "Through the Aquarium Glass," which won first place at the Henderson County Art Show in April 2011.