MFPA - About Us

The roots of the MFPA go back to 1956, when Erich Stegmann, a
polio-stricken mouth painter, gathered a small band of disabled artists
from eight European countries. Their ultimate goal was to make their
living through their artistic efforts, and to obtain a sense of work security
that until then had eluded them.

Coupling his creative abilities with business acumen, Stegmann
established the MFPA as a co-operative organisation that reproduces its
artists work mainly in the form of cards, calendars and books.

From the small group he gathered for the inaugural meeting of the
Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, the group has now grown
to represent nearly 700 members, from 74 countries around the world.

One of the main themes of Stegmann’s credo was that the MFPA must
never be regarded as a charity simply because its members are disabled.

To Stegmann, the word "charity" was as abhorrent as the word "pity." The
Association maintains that it is not a charity and does not qualify for
charitable assistance.