THIRD THURSDAY ARTWALK IS NOW TACOMA ART MINGLE >>>

Why is tonight's art walk different from all the past third Thursday art walks in Tacoma? In most ways, it isn't, and that's the real beauty of it. But it is the third Thursday of the month, which means museums, galleries and business focus an extra spotlight or two on their art, complimenting the works with free nibbles and sips.

For all you Spew readers, you know the official Third Thursday Artwalk has been replaced with the Tacoma Art Mingle. A few weeks back we reported the Tacoma Art Group grabbed command of the special art focus night, giving it a wider scope in terms of venues, and added a map.

Here are a few snippets from our earlier post:

"We wanted to be more inclusive of what we call show spaces," says Gary Boone, B2 Fine Art Gallery owner and co-president of Tacoma Art Group, which heads up the Mingle. "These are basically opportunities for business that are not art-related to have an opportunity to show emerging artists, who are not showing in a museum or gallery. We wanted to broaden our approach, and bring to the table opportunities for our entire community."

Therefore, when you head out on third Thursdays, there will no longer be a few static locations to visit. Instead, each month will bring a new map, designed by local design students. Eventually, the map will be available in both a printed brochure as well as on Tacoma Art Group's website. This month, venues are listed online only.

It looks as if the website isn't quite up to snuff yet.

There you go. It's still a night of art, just with different folks running the show.

Here are a few of our recommendations:

"HALF MOON”: Oil and encaustic by Judy Hintz Cox

Azul at B2 Fine Art Gallery

The word "Azul" means "blue" in Spanish and Portugese, and blue is the theme of the show - whether the color blue or blues music or blue as a mood, or however the individual artists may choose to interpret it. "Seven of my paintings will be included in a show called Azul at B2 Fine Art Gallery, which opens Thursday night," says Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton. "Also in the show are Judy Hintz Cox, Leonardo Lanzolo, William Quinn, Susana Rodriguez and Franciso Salgado. Read Clayton's thoughts on the show here. 5-9 p.m., 711 St. Helens Ave., 253.238.5065.

“MICROCOSM IV": by Fumiko Kimura. Photo courtesy of Flow

Kimura sumi-e at Flow

The stunning sumi-e work of Tacoma veteran artist Fumiko Kimura is still up at Flow Gallery through February, featuring work from the last three decades in different styles. In addition Flow has lovely jewelry by Lisa Von Wendel and shrink-wrap artwork by various artists. 5-8 p.m., 301A Puyallup Ave., 253.255.4675

Group Show at 253 Collective Art Gallery

A new group show featuring new artists - including watercolor artist Hossein Peigahl - kicks off tonight at the 253 Collective Art Gallery. 3-8 p.m., 1901 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 100

"Resolutions" at Brick House Gallery

The downtown art gallery asked artists to riff on resolutions. Some are literal. Some are conceptual. Many are eclectic. 5-9 p.m., 1123 S. Fawcett, 253.230.4880

Merlino Art Center

The Merlino Art Center in Tacoma's Triangle District invites Art Minglers to tour the art inside its arts studios and businesses such as Chelsia Berry Clothing Design, artist Kelly Yorek, sumi-e artist Lois Yoshida and Tacoma City Ballet. Arts and business owners will be on hand to chat and answer questions. 5-8 p.m., 508 Sixth Ave.

Michael Ferguson at American Art Company

Catch Michael Ferguson's "Impressions" show before it closes Saturday. The Northwest native and outdoor enthusiast finds inspiration in his immediate surroundings. 5-8 p.m., 1126 Broadway Plaza, 253.272.4327

Throwing Mud Gallery

The Old Town Tacoma art gallery and working pottery studio hosts an open house highlighting unique items created by 80 different local and regional artists. As a bonus, one of its pottery classes will be in session in the back room. 5-8 p.m., 2212 N. 30th St., 253.254.7961

Then, of course, there's "Andy Warhol's Flowers for Tacoma" at the Tacoma Art Museum, which is free during Tacoma Art Mingle.

NOTE: Museum of Glass will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 for a private event, which means it will not be open for tonight's Art Mingle. However, the Museum will offer visitors free admission between 2-5 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound