Celebrating Artistic Diversity in Casablanca
From November 4 to December 17, 2026, the vibrant city of Casablanca, Morocco, will play host to the third edition of the Émergences Salon, an event dedicated to showcasing a new generation of Moroccan and African artists. This year’s salon emphasizes the intersection of emerging creativity, professional exchanges, and an opening toward the broader artistic landscapes of the African continent. Organized by the BASMA association in partnership with the AL MADA Foundation, the event highlights the diversity of artistic practices and backgrounds, creating a rich tapestry of contemporary art.
This year, the selection process was competitive, with 120 applications submitted in French, Arabic, and English, culminating in the selection of 43 artists, of which 20 are women and 23 are men. Notably, more than half of the selected participants are under 30 years old, reflecting a fresh influx of youthful talent. Geographic representation has also expanded, with artists hailing from 18 different cities, 15 of which are within Morocco, while three are from abroad. This growth not only showcases a wider array of voices but also marks a significant increase in the representation of women artists, who now account for 46.5% of the selected participants, up from 36.8% in the previous edition.
Connecting Artists with Opportunities
While exhibiting artwork is vital for an artist's visibility, it is equally important for them to engage with gallery owners, curators, collectors, and other key players in the art sector. The Émergences Salon aims to bridge this gap by offering not just an exhibition, but a comprehensive program that includes workshops, conferences, masterclasses, and public meetings. The goal is to facilitate connections between creators and professionals who can support their work and enhance their exposure.
In line with this mission, the AL MADA – Émergence Prize, established in 2025 by BASMA and the AL MADA Foundation, will recognize three outstanding artists among the participants, providing additional acknowledgement to emerging talents who are still developing their unique artistic voices.
One of the highlights of this year’s salon is the work of Soukaina Bouali, a self-taught artist based in Casablanca, who explores the interplay of fiber and textile art. Her award-winning piece, titled 'Tenant', is a crocheted garment that creatively combines hand-spun raw wool with clay. Concurrently, in Rabat, the exhibition 'Trilogy One' features the three winners from 2025: Karim Largou, Soukaina Bouali, and Mehdi Ait El Mallali, whose diverse artistic expressions converge through painting, textiles, and photography.
The salon also opens a window to the African art scene with the ToCasa Pan-African residency, bringing together four artists from Ethiopia, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria. Ethiopian artist Ashenafe Mestika invites viewers into a deeply human artistic universe, while Ivorian artist Koffi Doubbin Jonas transforms discarded bottles and glass fragments into striking visual materials. Ghanaian artist Abdulsalam Nuhu, known as Elroy Salam, delves into themes of identity, spirituality, and mental health, and Nigerian artist Oluwatobiloba Moses Fasalejo focuses on the intimate exploration of presence and absence within domestic spaces. Selected from a pool of 80 applications from across the continent, these artists have participated in a residency in Casablanca, allowing their works to be featured in the salon. This intersection of diverse sensitivities enhances the Moroccan art scene by incorporating contemporary African expressions.
The Émergences Salon strives to foster ambitions that extend beyond mere exhibitions. It seeks to introduce new talents to the art world, while also connecting them with networks and platforms that promote their work. An artistic scene is not solely built from displayed artworks; it is cultivated through artists who gradually find their place and assert their unique perspectives.
As reported by lecourrierdelatlas.com.
