The difficulties of Marrakesh Art galleriesIn a few years, the art market of Marrakesh passed from a desolate desert to a flourishing scene. The multiplication of galleries and the places of exhibition however hide’s a fragile market which does not yet fully play its part.

Since May 1999 and the opening of the first true art gallery of Marrakech: Matisse Art Gallery, the marrakesh art market has experienced an incredible development. Following the steps of this pioneer, a true offer was born with the appearance of dealers positioning themselves on various artistic trends "In less than six years, seventeen places of exhibition have appeared in the medina or in Guéliz," says Et-Tayeb Houdaïfa in his article published in La Vie Eco. This frenzy is for best and worst.

5 art galleries

The strong increase in the number of exhibition places is however not a true indicator of the vitality of the sector. These new comers often do not have a consistent strategy to deal with the needs of the actors of Marrakesh’s visual arts scene. While some choose to be a simple space of temporary exhibitions, others base their action on a long-term relationship with their artists. These true art dealers are however still rare breed in Marrakesh. "There are only two real art galleries in Marrakesh," considers Nabil El Mellouki in La Vie Eco while Sakina Gharib, director of the Action Culture company, counted 5 of them. "We are true art dealers. We conceived a long-term strategy, we drew up contracts with the artists, we promote them like boxing or football managers do, "said El Mellouki. This ambitious approach preached by one of the founders of Matisse Art Gallery is combined with some bold artistic choices. In January 2006, this gallery exposed the work of Lahssini. "A difficult and uncerving work, but a true new talent," believes MarocAntics. A demanding choice based on quality, a characteristic that can be found in the dealer’s collection that covers the main tendencies of the Moroccan pictorial scene. A step partly shared by other more specialized galleries. The Galerie Bleue chose to privilege the figurative artistic expression whereas the gallery Atlassides shows a clear preference for the abstraction. For Sakina Gharib, only Marrakech Gallery Arts and Qoubba Art gallery can also be counted in this exclusive circle.

Buying A Property In Marrakech - Some ThoughtsThe region of Marrakech offers a wide selection of property types, including townhouses and apartments, in new developments, or previously occupied, and, of course, “riads” – traditional Moroccan houses, or, indeed, palaces, with interior courtyards and gardens – newly built, or newly renovated.

Marrakech : All the Directory 

today in MarrakechIn a zip of a second, discover the events taking place today in Marrakech.

Hotel Riyad al MoussikaThe Riyad Al Moussika hotel is situated in the ancient medina of Marrakech, a 5-minute walk from Jemâa El Fna Square. The property was once one of the residences of the former Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui. It has been refurbished to an extremely high standard with rigorous respect of the Andalusian style.

One of the gates of Riyad Al Moussika opens onto a garden with, among other trees, two centenary old cypresses soaring to the sky and an Andalusian basin (13 metres long) tiled with a mosaic carpet design. All around the garden there is a cloister in typical fondouks Moroccan style with, at the bottom, a large music-reception room decorated with a cedar painted ceiling and white marble tiles interlaced with the mosaic on the floor.A fireplace gives winter evenings a more cosy atmosphere, as do the impressive modern paintings, carpets, sofas and armchairs. There is a Hi-Fi system and an art déco Pleyel grand piano perfectly tuned for the pleasure of music lovers.

Riad Dar LaazizaLocated a few steps away from Marrakech's typical markets and historic attractions, the Riad Dar Laaziza Guest House is an oasis of calm and relaxation located in the centre of the Medina of Marrakech. With only 5 colorfully decorated rooms, the guests of this Guest House will also find comfortable lounges, free tea and coffee, as well as a delicious Morocan cuisine.