Help the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg choose one of these three photos for its permanent collection

click to enlarge

Sam Contis, American, b. 1982 (MFA)

Left: "After Swimming," 2015, gelatin silver print, 8 ¾ x 7 in.; Right: "Cover," 2013, gelatin silver print, 15 x 12 in.;Center: "Chest," 2015, archival pigment print, 6 ¼ x 5 in.; © Sam Contis, courtesy the artist and Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery, NY — all up for choosing (sort of) at the Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg

I love going to art museums. But let’s be honest — they've spoiled me.

I'm not interested in what most people have hanging on their walls at home. I don't want to see that 4 x 6 photo of you and Ma. Everyone knows the good stuff is in museums. There's only one problem: I can't afford it. If only I could choose the photographs that went into my local museum, then I could revisit my favorites without breaking the bank.

This month at the Museum of Fine Arts’ Pick-a-Pic fundraiser, you can do just that. On Friday, January 25, the MFA is letting you choose between three different Sam Contis photographs for their collection. Only one Sam Contis photo will become a part of the museum’s permanent collection, so choose wisely. And enjoy the live music, light hors d'oeuvres, and artist discussion while you’re there.

Pick-a-Pic | Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg | Jan. 25: 5:30-7:30 p.m. | $35 Friends of Photography members, $45 nonmembers, cash for drinks | 727-896-2667 | mfastpete.org | Get Creative Loafing's weekly Do This newsletter