FOOT IN THE DOOR 4

Preview Thursday: Hundreds of Minnesota artists will be sporting purple ribbons and their finest footwear at the opening party for the popular "Foot in the Door" show, which accepted entries from about 5,000 state artists. (The snowboarding dragon at left is by Nino Nardecchia.) The career-launching exhibit features 1-foot-square paintings, photos and other flat art, plus sculptures, ceramics and other expressive outbursts no larger than 1 cubic foot. Partygoers are encouraged to bring a donation of new socks for the poor and homeless. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles will perform. (Party 6-9 p.m. Thu.; free. Show runs Fri.- June 13; free. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S. 612-870-3131 or www.artsmia.org.)