When you mix a little bit of paint with a whole lot of personality, you get a night full of art, laughs, and maybe even a few ghost stories.

Willer Hall recently hosted a Sip & Paint Party, giving students the chance to unwind, get creative, and express themselves with some pencils.

For one of the RA’s, Morgan Schrock, the painting she created was inspired by something a little more mysterious.

“I started out with an idea from Google, then I stopped looking at the picture and just started painting my mind. What I ended up painting was the monster from my bedroom,” Schrock said.

Schrock says she’s experienced strange activities in her dorm room, for example doors opening by themselves, lights going on and off, and her painting ended up turning into that ghostly presence she’s felt.

Schrock explained that one night along with other things, a ball bounced across the floor on its own.

“One time I heard voices and thought it was my roommate Marina, but she was asleep. Another time the shower just turned on when no one was in there. It feels like something’s in the room with us,” Schrock said.

Sodas and a room full of friends helped get the fear away from the ghost. Schrock’s friends Marina Oberschmid and Helma Cruz joined her for the event, which was open to all Willer Hall residents.

Her roommate, Oberschmid, admits the stories are creepy and real, but said the Sip & Paint gave her a needed break from the stress of school and sports.

Oberschmid, spent hours on many paintings while music was playing. Some paintings were bright, while others were creative and calming pieces for her room.

“I love activities like that in general and especially painting. I feel like you can relax and you can just let your emotions and your feelings paint and here’s what I did,” Oberschmid said.

The vibe in the room was calm and creative. Some students took the chance to catch up with friends, while others were very focused on getting every detail of their artwork just right.

Not every painting leaned into the spooky side, for Cruz, she got inspired to paint her hand and make a hand mark on her canvas.

“I wasn’t sure what to paint at first, so I just looked at my hands and thought why not. I painted my hand and stamped it on the canvas. It felt like leaving a mark, and some good decoration for my room,” Cruz said.

Cruz added that the group setting made the night even better.

“I also just enjoyed the memories behind the painting party, every time I look at my painting I think about this night,” Cruz said.

The students walked away with paintings and enjoyed a night with sodas. The Willer Hall painting party participants got something meaningful out of the experience.

And hey, if you think you see a monster in your dorm room, maybe it just wants to be painted too.