OPEN CASABLANCA 2026 EDITION
Open Casablanca 2026 brings together artists from 9 countries and selects four for FIG Bilbao 2026
4–6 September 2026 · Casablanca · Free admission
From 4 to 6 September, Open Casablanca gathered artists from across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia in Casablanca for a meeting devoted to contemporary printmaking, creation and exchange between artists.
The programme combined an exhibition, live demonstrations, workshops, talks and activities for children, creating a shared space around printmaking and its many forms of expression.
This edition brought together 13 artists, both participants and guest artists, from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Morocco, Egypt, Oman, Jordan, China and Iran.
Four artists selected for FIG Bilbao 2026
As part of the meeting, four of the participating artists have been selected to continue their international journey and take part in FIG Bilbao 2026, taking place in Bilbao from 26 to 29 November.
The selected artists are:
Chiara Chimirri (Italy)
Meryem Tafali (Morocco)
Safia Agouzoul (Morocco)
Wang Caizhen (China)
The selection establishes a direct link between Open Casablanca and FIG Bilbao, strengthening international exchange and building new connections within contemporary printmaking.
Participating artists
The 2026 edition of Open Casablanca brought together:
Alba Noriega – Spain
Amani Mousa – Egypt
Carmen Naranjo – Spain
Chiara Chimirri – Italy
Lorea Pascale – Belgium
Meryem Tafali – Morocco
Najlaa Al Saadi – Oman
Safia Agouzoul – Morocco
Saghi Zeyghamzadeh – Italy / Iran
Tasneem Diya Althaher – Jordan
Wang Caizhen – China
The programme also featured guest artists Verónica Arellano (Spain) and Erika Ede (Bilbao).
Three days of printmaking, workshops and encounters
The opening took place on Friday 4 September, with the official launch, a visit to the exhibition and workshops for children. The day continued with demonstrations by Wang Caizhen and Meryem Tafali, and a drawing and Andalusi music action led by Verónica Arellano.
On Saturday 5 September, the programme included workshops led by Amani Mousa and Chiara Chimirri, along with the presentation of the four FIG Bilbao 2026 awards. The day closed with two talks, one on printmaking education and one on the artist’s book, given respectively by Said Guihia, director of ESBAC, and Erika Ede.
On Sunday 6 September, visitors could attend demonstrations by Najlaa Al Saadi and Carmen Naranjo before the closing of the event.
Programme
Friday 4 September
6:00 pm · Official opening, exhibition visit and children’s workshops
7:00 pm · Demonstrations by Wang Caizhen (China) and Meryem Tafali (Morocco)
8:00 pm · Drawing and Andalusi music action with Verónica Arellano (Spain)
9:00 pm · Close of the day
Saturday 5 September
10:00 am · Public opening and jury tour
11:00 am · Workshop by Amani Mousa (Egypt)
12:00 pm · Workshop by Chiara Chimirri (Italy)
5:00 pm · Presentation of the four FIG Bilbao 2026 awards
6:00 pm · Talk: The role of printmaking in art education, by Said Guihia (Morocco), director of ESBAC
7:00 pm · Talk: The artist’s book, by Erika Ede (Spain)
9:00 pm · Close of the day
Sunday 6 September
10:00 am · Public opening
11:00 am · Demonstration by Najlaa Al Saadi (Oman)
12:00 pm · Demonstration by Carmen Naranjo (Spain)
4:00 pm · Closing of Open Casablanca
From Casablanca to Bilbao
The selection of Chiara Chimirri, Meryem Tafali, Safia Agouzoul and Wang Caizhen opens a new chapter: the four artists will join FIG Bilbao 2026, carrying the international dialogue started in Casablanca forward to Bilbao.
Open Casablanca is consolidating its role as a meeting point for artists and professionals from different backgrounds, and as a channel for new exchange opportunities within the international printmaking circuit.
