Whether you consider it art, culture or subculture, at some point you have to admit that tattooing can get pretty complicated, and takes a special skill. Okay, maybe I'm biased because I have a few of my own. But drawing on someone's skin is a bit harder than merely sketching and shading on a piece of paper, don't you think?

If you're not convinced, head over to Skin City: The Art of the Tattoo exhibit at The Arts Center in St. Petersburg. This 85-year-old organization, which sponsors both exhibits and classes (no, they don't offer tattooing lessons, but you can learn how to make jewelry), has an extraordinary display of tattoo photos, paintings, interactive artifacts and other materials that are bound to startle you into believing that the "art of the street"--which includes graffiti and cartoons--is just as valid for study in our contemporary museums as old masterpieces.

But hurry: Even though tattoos technically last forever, the exhibit, which began in October, ends December 31.

The Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-7872, www.theartscenter.org.