Join NIU students and DeKalb’s community for six events of the NIU’s Art Museum Get-On-The-Bus Excursions beginning Friday.

Friday will be the season opener for the annual River North Gallery District in Chicago.

Pete Olson, NIU’s Art Museum proprietor, said the Get-On-The-Bus trips are an enjoyable event where people can open their minds and explore art’s diversity.

The first extravaganza will include more than 30 gallery receptions, including “Artificial Desert: Photographs,” by Phillip Melnick and a reception at The NIU Chicago Gallery.

Buses stop at the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art prior to the evening receptions. They also will depart at 1 p.m. and return at 10 p.m.

The registration deadline is 4 p.m. today. Transportation costs for Friday’s event are $6 for members, $7.50 for students and seniors and $10 for all others.

There will be six more artistic programs to follow, such as hikes, exposes, gallery visits, gallery receptions and more.

Payments can be made to the museum by methods of cash, check, Mastercard or Visa.

For more information, call the museum at 753-1936.