Are you satisfied with the visual fare offered regularly on your nearest television? Are you sufficiently stimulated?

You could change the channel, but you know what to expect. You could go rent a movie, but maybe you’ve seen everything that looks interesting and you just can’t think of anything else to do.

You could stare at the walls … or you could stare at someone else’s walls, say, those at one of many art galleries in the Chicago area – or even right here in DeKalb.

A lot of people might be scared off by the art scene, picturing some cold, empty room and a bunch of stuffy people – not the most comfortable environment. But that’s far from the reality of it.

People who aren’t too interested in the art scene might forget that it exists, but the funny thing is, a lot of the images seen in popular culture simply are watered-down versions of the real thing.

From music videos to commercials, there is evidence of the fine art influence. So why not go straight to the source?

There are a couple of galleries right here on campus, featuring work by NIU students. At the Jack Olson Gallery, located on the second floor of the Art Building, a grad student exhibit featuring paintings, drawings and installations currently is on display. There’s also the Holmes Student Center Gallery, which recently housed the Black Student Art Show.

If you need to get out of DeKalb, there are few things more refreshing than going to a gallery in the city. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is a great place to start. Located at 220 E. Chicago Ave., one block east of Michigan Avenue, the museum is an eye-opening experience that just might make you realize how much you’d have missed if you stayed in your dorm room or apartment.

Here’s something exciting for you … the MCA currently is featuring a show titled “Lovesexy,” which shows different perspectives on sexual desire and identity in culture and society. The show is running through April 21. Admission is free on Tuesdays and is $6 on other days with a valid student ID. You can find out more about exhibits at the MCA on its Web site at www.mcachicago.org.

“Lovesexy” is just one show at the MCA, and it’s just one of many galleries in the city. A simple Google search yields lists upon lists of galleries, such as www.chicagoartgalleries.net.

There is so much beautiful, thought-provoking imagery that’s not very far away. You deserve something better than TV, something that doesn’t insult your intelligence, something that challenges your expectations. You deserve to spend a day treating your eyes and your mind to new, unexpected imagery, thoughts and feelings.

Get out there and find it this weekend.