The call to participate in the IX Mazoka is open

The 9th edition of the Drawing and Illustration Market of Vitoria-Gasteiz, known as Mazoka, will be held from December 20 to 22 at the Water Reservoir of the Montehermoso Cultural Center, a historic site built in 1885.

This market will bring together professionals from different fields such as illustration, comics, design and animation. The space will host 40 exhibitors selected from the Basque Country, other parts of Spain and other countries.

The call to participate in one of the exhibition spaces is open until September 30, and those interested must fill in a form and accept the terms of participation available on Mazoka's official website. The jury will announce the result on October 16, 2024.

One of the highlights of this edition is the return of the 'Mazokalaris' Catalogue, a paper publication that compiles the works and products of the selected artists. This catalog was born during the pandemic and has become a key tool to give visibility and curricular recognition to the participants.

Mazoka is not only a market, but also an important meeting point to generate synergies between artists and the public. It is a space that promotes collaboration, the exchange of ideas and the development of projects. In addition, it offers support to cartoonists, illustrators and visual artists of various disciplines. In this regard, the culture councilor of Vitoria-Gasteiz has highlighted the importance of Mazoka as an event for the city: "From the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz we make it possible for an event like Mazoka to be celebrated again. And we do it because we want to recognize the value of the cultural and creative industries, a sector that is increasingly taking center stage in our territory."

One of Mazoka's hallmarks is its commitment to original artistic creation. All the works that are exhibited must be produced by the artists themselves, ensuring a direct and authentic relationship with the public. In this edition, special emphasis is placed on the prohibition of the use of artificial intelligence to create works, as it is considered that it does not meet the criteria of originality and violates copyright.

Finally, Mazoka is calling for the Bekikasle scholarship for students, sponsored by Laboral Kutxa, for the sixth year. This scholarship includes 500 euros, an exhibition space, accommodation and a subscription to a professional platform. The aim is to discover new talents in the field of design, illustration and plastic arts, and that young creators can share experiences with established artists.