The second edition of the Sculpture and Ceramics Forum: A space for creativity, reflection, and knowledge exchange
With support from the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication – Culture Sector, in partnership with the Casablanca municipality, and in coordination with the local development company Casa Event, as well as the School of Fine Arts in Casablanca (ESBAC), the Association of the Art Impact Studio organized the second edition of the Sculpture and Ceramics Forum from February 12 to 28, 2026, at the heritage space of the former Sacred Heart Cathedral, as well as at the Unique Belkhayate Gallery affiliated with the School of Fine Arts in Casablanca.
This edition confirmed its ambition to unite artists, researchers, educators, and students around contemporary sculptural and ceramic practices. The forum’s events took place in spaces carrying strong symbolic and academic significance, especially the heritage site of the former Sacred Heart Cathedral and the School of Fine Arts in Casablanca. The program featured a rich agenda including an exhibition, workshops, meetings, a specialized symposium, and a documentary screening on Tunisian artist Hamadi Wahishi’s experience.
The opening ceremony and the official opening of the exhibition honored two prominent figures in Moroccan sculpture, Abdelhak Selhami and Abdelkarim Wazzani, whose careers have profoundly contributed to the development of visual arts in Morocco. This inaugural moment highlighted the importance of artistic memory and recognition of pioneers in shaping a vibrant contemporary art scene.
The educational dimension of the forum was evident through various workshops organized at the School of Fine Arts in Casablanca. Japanese artist Ichiko Inoue led a ceramics workshop, while Moroccan artists Mohamed Ghzoula, Mustafa Bakshi, and Mohamed Al-Adi conducted sculpture workshops. This multidisciplinary approach was further enriched by a workshop on writing about sculpture and ceramics guided by Bamiouns Amirouch.
A significant highlight of the forum was the specialized symposium titled “Sculpture and Ceramics: Creative Experiences and Aesthetic Values.” The first session focused on creative experiences, featuring contributions from Saïd Kihia, Mehdi Zwaq, Michel Gautier, Ali Jabri, Al-Bashir Adnane Maïtik, Ichiko Inoue, and Mustafa Ghzoulani.
The second session, centered on aesthetic values, included presentations by Hassan Zahli, Salam Jbar, Mohamed Rashidi, Abdelaziz Al-Idrisi, Madiha Al-Najjar, Abdul Latif Al-Arawi, Ali Al-Asli, and Laghadsh Hassan. The session was moderated by Abdullah Al-Sheikh, with Mustafa Bizadi serving as the Arabic rapporteur and Hamid Dadas conducting the session in French.
The forum also hosted a discussion on the artistic journeys of Abdelhak Selhami and Abdelkarim Wazzani, allowing for dialogue about their experiences. This meeting was led by Ibrahim Al-Hussein, with participation from Idris Kathi, Said Kermas, Bouabid Bouzid, Mohamed Selhami, and Youssef Saadoun. The overall coordination and management of the program were efficiently handled by Abdel Ilah Rabhi.
The forum concluded with a presentation of a documentary dedicated to the sculptural experience of Tunisian artist Hamadi Wahishi, followed by organized visits to the exhibition with graduates from the School of Fine Arts in Casablanca.
Through this rich and diverse programming, the second Sculpture and Ceramics Forum reaffirmed its role as a public platform for artistic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and critical thinking, solidifying the presence of sculpture and ceramics within contemporary cultural dynamics.
