D'art Elfen - د'ار الفن

Located on the edge of the famous Balcon Atlantico ("Atlantic balcony") in Larache, Atelier D’art Elfen, a non-profit organization, is one of the most active artistic associations in the city. It was founded on October 2015 by the Moroccan artist and art teacher Mohamed El Harrak as an personal work studio first, but shortly after he transformed it into an art workspace that provides exclusive art classes/workshops to kids and adults. It equally prepares students who wish to continue their studies in art and architecture schools, whether locally or abroad. D’art Elfen’s workshop facilitators provide exclusive art workshops at least four days a week whereas the space remains always open as a studio for adults.

D’art Elfen’s other founding members include: Noureddine Khatir, a scenographer and director of Dar Amsterdam School of Theatre, who was the previous secretary general of D’art Elfen and currently serves as its adviser; Redouan El Karkri an art teacher who served as an advisor and a workshop facilitator up to 2018; Siham Touil, a teacher of French (and wife to Mohamed El Harrak), is the previous and current registrar; and other young artists from Larache like Mohamed el Metmari who joined in late 2016 as a workshop assistant and currently serves as the present secretary general, project coordinator and kid’s workshops facilitator.

Throughout the course of its actions, D’art Elfen has contributed to several art exhibitions with the work of its members and pupils. Additionally, it participated in several art decorations of many institutions, schools and events. Probably the one worth mentioning is its participation in the decoration of the historical monument of Suk Sghir ("little market") - a historical market that sets the chief entrance to the medina - with large murals that beautified its walls in an unprecedented fashion. This commission came as part of the 5th editiion of the International Forum of Medinas. On this occasion, the tradition of old medinas was commemorated by 8 large murals of people who have become a trademark of the place such as water sellers, bread sellers and merchants with their traditional Moroccan clothes.