Mazoka, the Drawing and Illustration Market of Vitoria-Gasteiz, has announced the 30 selected participants for its XI edition. The application deadline closed on September 21st, and the event will be held in the city from December 18th to 20th. The fair is promoted by cultural managers Anuska Arbildi and Marta C Dehesa, and is supported by the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, the Provincial Council of Álava, the Basque Government, Laboral Kutxa, and Fundación Vital Fundazioa.
María Nanclares, councilor for Economic Promotion, Employment, Commerce, and Tourism of Vitoria-Gasteiz, highlighted the event's growing recognition: "Mazoka is an increasingly popular and recognized event. This year, we have seen a substantial increase in international applications (16%), local ones (13% from Álava residents), as well as from students (15%). It serves as a magnificent showcase for presenting the sector's creative proposals."
Sonia Díaz de Corcuera, councilor for Culture and Education, emphasized Mazoka's cultural growth and dimension, stating that "it is a project that generates community and culture, offers opportunities to new talents, and demonstrates the immense potential of illustration and drawing as artistic and cultural expressions. The increase in applications shows that Mazoka has consolidated itself as a reference for new generations and places Vitoria-Gasteiz on the global contemporary creation map."
Among the 30 selected professionals, known as 'mazokalaris', are renowned national and international names such as Ana Oncina (Alicante), Roberta Vázquez (Santiago de Compostela), Akesi Martínez (Pontevedra), José A. Roda (Barcelona), Raisa Álava (Álava), and the collective Flama! (Madrid and Brazil).
Three students will also showcase their art, including Carmen Blau, a student from the Master's in Illustration at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), who has received the VIII BEKIKASLE scholarship from Laboral Kutxa.
Application data shows that 15% are students, while 14.08% are former mazokalaris seeking to repeat the experience with new projects. The fair continues to grow internationally, with 15.74% of applications coming from residents outside Spain, including participants from Bulgaria, Mauritania, Russia, China, and Cuba.
The fair's popularity among illustrators and former mazokalaris is notable, with 45% of applications stemming from recommendations. Additionally, schools and universities increasingly encourage student participation, accounting for 20% of applications via educational institution recommendations.
Among the educational institutions with the most applications are Elisava School and LABASAD (Barcelona), Instituto Mendizabala and IDARTE (Vitoria-Gasteiz), UPV (Valencia), EHU-UPV (Basque Country), the Seville School of Art (Seville), and the Complutense University (Madrid).
The organization highlights the careers of four professional participants: Ana Oncina (Alicante), a famous comic author with over 12 titles, recipient of awards from the Barcelona Comic Fair and the International Manga Award of Japan, and recognized by Forbes.
Akesi Martínez (Pontevedra) will bring her prints and personal sequential works, having exhibited in London and Paris, and receiving recognition at the Bologna Children's Book Fair.
José A. Roda (Barcelona), an illustrator and product designer, has collaborated with major brands like Google and Fnac, aiming to convey "joy as a form of resistance" through his work.
From Galicia comes Roberta Vázquez (Santiago de Compostela), author of fanzines and children's comics, known for her humor and vibrant colors, featured in publications like 'El País' and 'El Jueves'.
In this XI edition, the Bekaikasle – Laboral Kutxa scholarship 2026 has been awarded to Carmen Blau, a student in the Master's in Design and Illustration at the UPV.
Blau's project combines traditional and digital techniques, exploring themes of memory, grief, and nostalgia in various self-published formats, using light and color to create atmosphere and convey emotions.
As the scholarship winner, Carmen Blau will receive financial aid, including free registration, 500 euros for production and fees, accommodation during the market, and a subscription to a professional website.
