Fes Hosts the 14th Salon of Contemporary Arts
On the evening of Saturday, September 12, 2026, the 14th edition of the "Salon of Morocco for Contemporary Arts" was inaugurated at the Mohammed Al-Qasimi Gallery in Fes. This annual event aims to discover and promote young talents in the realm of visual arts, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their creativity.
Organized by the Chameleon Arts Association in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Culture and the Ali Zawa Foundation (Nights of Stars Cultural Center in Fes), this cultural gathering is themed "From Sketchbook to Artistic Expression." The salon highlights the transitional and developmental journey of artistic creation, illustrating how initial sketches and spontaneous ideas evolve into mature artworks that embody philosophical and aesthetic dimensions.
Hicham Maidi, the president of the Chameleon Arts Association, expressed that this edition reflects a strong commitment to spotlighting the new generation in the national art scene. He emphasized the salon's role as a vital space for visibility and support, allowing emerging artists to present their works and interact with both the audience and critics.
In a press statement, Maidi described the initial sketches and spontaneous ideas in the artists' sketchbooks as a secret garden, where ideas germinate and mature before transforming into complete artistic pieces. He pointed out that this artistic salon aims to unveil the early stages of artists' careers, which are often invisible in the broader context of artistic creation.
The opening ceremony featured a collective art exhibition dedicated to celebrating emerging talents, alongside a competition designed to highlight young artists and provide them with a professional platform to showcase their creativity to the public and critics. The exhibition includes a diverse array of artworks, encompassing painting, sculpture, ceramics, calligraphy, and installation art, showcasing the richness of contemporary artistic expressions.
The national dimension of the exhibition is evident in the diverse backgrounds and geographical representations of the participants. For instance, visual artist Najat Daoud from the coastal region of Tantan presented a piece titled "Kahla," dedicated to elderly women and inspired by the nomadic lifestyle.
Furthermore, Ukrainian artist Irina Gritsenko, who resides in Fes, praised the diversity of perspectives and artistic styles brought together by this event. As an architect by training, Gritsenko noted the blend of mature, completed artworks with preliminary sketches that reflect artistic journeys still in development. She considers this convergence to create an immensely stimulating dynamic for young creators.
Gritsenko, who is a guest of honor at this edition, underscored the unique position of Fes's ancient city in its artistic domain, describing it as an inexhaustible source of inspiration where spatial and temporal dimensions converge with collective memory.
The event continued on Sunday, September 13, at the Nights of Stars Cultural Center in Fes, featuring a solo exhibition by artist Irina Gritsenko to present her latest collection. The salon concluded with a formal ceremony to award honorary and recognition prizes to the young winners of the art competitions.
As reported by hespress.com.
