Local watercolor painting collective Nancy Melton and Friends will kick off its Spring Watercolor Show and Sale with a reception 5-8 p.m. Friday in Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 221 Aqua Drive.

The show will feature the works of 25 local artists and will highlight paintings by Edith Pavy Beam. The reception will feature a silent auction, a boutique and paintings from the featured artists for sale.

Proceeds will fund a youth mission trip to Jonestown, Miss., where nearly 20 McNeese students will repair homes and clear land for a playground.

Beam said she’s been painting in watercolors and with this group for nearly a decade.

“I’ve always loved any kind of art, and after trying painting in oils, acrylics and pastels, I decided I wanted to try watercolor,” she said. “I joined this group 9 1/2 years ago, and I’ve been with it ever since.”

Beam said members take turns being the featured artist in the annual show. She said she’ll showcase 30 works of art — “seascapes, flowers, portraits, landscapes, some abstracts and local wildlife such as egrets and alligators.”

The work featured in the show will be for sale and on exhibit at Our Lady of Good Counsel until May 12.

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