Patrons can paint haunted house on Halloween at Madison Public Library

Is it Norman Bates’ terrifying home from “Psycho”? Or, a lighter side of macabre with “The Addams Family’s” house?

Paint this haunted house on Halloween at the library.

Regardless, painting a haunted house will give a scary good time for adults at Madison Public Library’s Halloween painting party on Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m.

“At the painting class, we’ll paint our Halloween scene, and we’ll also have snacks and coffee available for those who participate,” adult services librarian Rachel Hooper said.

Wearing a costume is optional. “If people would like to dress up in a Halloween costume, that would be great. I’ll be dressed up, but it’s not a requirement,” Hooper said. She will lead the class.

“The library is excited to offer enhanced service to adult library users,” Madison branch manager Sarah Sledge said. “The library is accessible to everyone and, for just the minimal cost of materials, we are able to offer this class to an important segment of our service area.”

Anyone at least 18 years old is welcome in the class, which costs $5.

Each participant will paint a Halloween scene with acrylics on an 11-by-17 inch canvas. “The scene I have prepared is a haunted house next to a creepy/scary tree and a full moon and bats flying around the sky,” Hooper said.

After tracing an outline of the spooky house, the class will fill in the image and then paint the background and the sky. Participants can choose to alter the scene. “I enjoy seeing how creative everyone is and where that takes each person in the paintings,” Hooper said. No painting skills are required.

Hooper believes the haunted house painting will be perfect for home decorating in October for Halloween. “It will be seasonal, but is something that can be used again and again,” Hooper said.

Participants should register at hmcpl.org. For questions, call Hooper at 256-461-0046 or send e-mail to rhooper@hmcpl.org.