For its entry in Festival of Wreaths, Madison Arts Council decorated with a Phantom of the Opera mask for drama, a painting palette and framed painting for visual arts, a ballerina for dance and a French horn and trumpet for music. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – Ingenious ideas for the Christmas spirit will be exhibited in the third annual Festival of Wreaths at Madison Public Library.

Civic clubs, municipal departments, churches and individuals can decorate a wreath either in holiday accents or with objects, slogans and images that represent and symbolize the group’s work and objectives. Individuals can create a theme around their favorite book or author.

“Madison Friends of the Library invites area nonprofit groups to participate in the annual Festival of Wreaths, a program designed to celebrate the holiday spirit and showcase artists and community organizations in and around Madison,” Ann Marie Martin said. Martin works as communications director for the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.

Instead of assuming a competitive edge, the decorating contest presents a venue for local artists and volunteer organizations to show their creativity.

In past years, Madison Police Department designed a comical wreath decorated with handcuffs, badges, police dog, toy patrol car and a flashy bow of yellow crime-scene tape.

Madison Arts Council’s wreath held a Phantom of the Opera mask to represent dramatic arts, a painting palette and framed painting for visual arts, a ballerina for dance and a French horn and trumpet for instrumental music.

Decorated wreaths will be on display on Madison Public Library bookshelves from Dec. 1 through Jan. 9, 2015.

Entry deadline is Nov. 30.

Wreaths should not exceed 20 inches wide and 20 inches tall. Weight should not exceed three pounds.

Wreaths should not have live greenery or food items that would deteriorate. Acceptable materials include ornaments, ribbon, glitter, artificial greenery, leaves, dried flowers, toys, pottery, fabric and recycled materials.

Festival of Wreaths applications and guidelines are available by visiting Madison Public Library, 130 Plaza Blvd. and online at hmcpl.org/madison or Facebook/Madison Friends of the Library.

For more information, call 256-461-0046 or email to madisonfriendsofthelibrary@gmail.com.