8 January 2026
The new year has arrived with an exciting announcement for the entire VDMFK community: in April 2026, the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists will hold its General Assembly in London, marking one of the most significant gatherings in the organisation's history.
Why This Assembly Matters
According to Article 18 of the VDMFK statutes, a members' meeting must be held every three years, ensuring that the Association's governance remains transparent, democratic, and responsive to the voices of its members. In keeping with this requirement, the board has decided to hold a General Assembly, which will take place from 12 to 17 April 2026 in the British capital.
While every General Assembly carries importance for the Association's members, this particular gathering arrives at an especially meaningful moment. Members from across the globe will travel to London not only to take part in essential organisational business, but to be present for a celebration seven decades in the making.
Celebrating 70 Years of the VDMFK
The year 2026 is a very special one for the Association: we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the VDMFK. Since its founding, the organisation has grown from a small circle of artists into a truly global community, supporting hundreds of mouth and foot painting artists across dozens of countries in their pursuit of artistic development and economic independence. The General Assembly in London offers a fitting opportunity to honour this remarkable milestone, bringing together the very community whose talent, resilience, and dedication have shaped the Association's history.
A Festive Gala at the Guildhall
The undoubted highlight of the anniversary week will be the festive gala evening on 13 April 2026, held at the historic Guildhall — the former town hall of the City of London. Few venues could better capture the weight and grandeur of a 70th anniversary celebration than the Guildhall, a building steeped in centuries of London history. The gala promises to be an unforgettable evening, bringing together artists, board members, guests, and supporters to mark seven decades of shared achievement in an atmosphere befitting the occasion.
An Art Exhibition at Lindley Hall
Alongside the gala, another major cultural highlight awaits: an art exhibition whose opening will take place on 14 April 2026 at the impressive Lindley Hall in Westminster. This exhibition will provide a platform to showcase the extraordinary breadth of talent within the VDMFK community, offering visitors and members alike the chance to experience firsthand the artistic diversity and creative excellence that define the Association's artists. Set within one of Westminster's most striking event spaces, the exhibition is expected to draw considerable public interest and stand as a fitting visual centrepiece for the anniversary celebrations.
Board Elections: Shaping the Association's Future
Beyond the celebratory events, the General Assembly also carries significant organisational weight. As part of the assembly proceedings on 14 April 2026, elections for the board members will be held, in accordance with Section 19 of the statutes. These elections represent a pivotal moment for the Association, as members will have the opportunity to shape its leadership and, by extension, its direction for the years ahead. In an anniversary year defined by reflection on the past, this vote on future leadership adds a forward-looking dimension to the week's proceedings — a reminder that the Association's next chapter is being written even as it celebrates the chapters that came before.
A Special Invitation
As preparations for this milestone gathering move forward, all members are cordially invited to take part in this special General Assembly in the anniversary year. Whether attending the formal proceedings, the historic gala at the Guildhall, or the exhibition opening at Lindley Hall, members will have the chance to be part of a week that promises to be as meaningful as it is memorable — a true convergence of governance, celebration, and community that only comes around once every few years, and only once every seventy.
Mark your calendars for 12–17 April 2026 in London. It promises to be a week the Association, and everyone who takes part in it, will remember for years to come.
Source: VDMFK News