If there's one constant to the responses in our ongoing list of Miami 100 Creatives, it's that the urge to create is a compulsion and not a choice. Video artist Cristina Molina referred to her motivation as a dark undercurrent, a tugging. Artist Jim Drain mentioned that without his artistic pursuits, he'd probably be in jail.

Hyperbole, sure. And we're not exactly suggesting that without art, we'd all be murderous, drooling pedophiles. But we'd definitely be more likely to slap strangers, grind our teeth, and otherwise passively lash out against our mundane, daily lives. This Thursday, we'll celebrate the creative talent fostered in Miami's humid air at our third annual Artopia shindig. Read on to learn how to score free tickets.

This year, see live art by Lebo and eco-art fashion (e.g., gowns made

from trash bags and discarded footballs) by Luis Valenzuela. While you

fuel up on Famosa Beer, Rums of Puerto Rico, Barefoot Wines, and bites

from Sawa lounge, listen to Miami's own Jack Johnson and Cris Cab, as

well as postpunk-meets-disco outfit, Modernage. And when Chico Mann hits

the stage, it'll be time to dance. The one-man band fuses electro,

Latin freestyle, Afrobeat, and Caribbean rhythms. Vagabond DJS DJ Carmel

Ophir and Ryan Evans will man the decks in between live sets and while

entertainers from Circ X perform burlesque, circus, and street theater.

But it's not all about booze and bounce. We're coming together to

announce the winners of our second annual MasterMind awards, $1,500

genius grants given to three Miami artists who deserve a little fiscal

encouragement.

To win four Artopia tickets, channel Kanye West and shout "ARTOPIA!" in all

caps on our Facebook page. We'll pick a winner at random by Wednesday

at 5 p.m. You must be able to pick up the tickets from the New Times

office during business hours on Thursday, February 10. Good luck.

For the rest, tickets cost $15 presale and $20 at the door. This year's Artopia, again cohosted by the Miami International Film Festival, will be held in the Moore Building on Thursday from 7 to 11 p.m.

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