The Karmayog April 2008 Nonprofit-of-the-Month is the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.
The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (AMFPA) is an international organisation, owned by its artist members.
M.F.P.A. is not a charity but a company entirely owned by disabled members of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, who believe in A Life for the Arts and for Human Dignity.
One of the main themes of the founder, Stegmann’s credo was that the International Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists must never be regarded as a charity just because many of its members were in wheelchairs or even hospitals beds. To him the key word was “partnership” – the word “charity” was as abhorrent to him as the word “pity” – and the Association has always proclaimed that it is not a charity and does not qualify for charitable assistance.
MFPA Artists Pvt. Ltd is representing them in India and their purpose is to:
§ Make contact with all people who are either artists who have lost the use of their hands through accident or illness and who paint with the brush held in the mouth or in the toes; or people who, having been born or become disabled, wish to learn to paint and support themselves throught the sale of their work.
§ Take care of its artists interests by helping them to sell their work, primarily in the form of reproductions as greetings cards, calendars and other artworks.
§ Publish material which communicates and supports the purpose of the organisation.
§ Help disabled artists to attain self-respect, creative fulfilment and financial security.
§ To create a marketing network throughout India to have easy accessibility for people to buy all their products.
§ To create awareness among the people of India about these artists who are proud to achieve their livelihood through their work of art.
You can support the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association in the following ways:
– Be an MFPA ambassador
– Shop for paintings, visiting cards, etc
– Use MFPA prints
– Organise an MFPA Art exhibition
– Be an MFPA franchise
– Purchase MFPA artwork reprints
(see http://mfpaindia.com/supportus.html to place orders)
We urge you all to support this unique model where your purchase of MFPA products helps handicapped artists to support themselves free from charity and enjoy a sense of work security. There is no minimum amount.
To know more about MFPA, see:
Website on Karmayog: www.karmayog.org/ngo/mfpaindia
MFPA’s own Website: www.mfpaindia.com
E-mail info@mfpaindia.com
Phone : 2262 66 66 / 77 / 88 / 99
Fax : 2261 66 11
Mail : Maker Bhavan No.1, 2nd Floor,
1 New Marine Lines,
Mumbai – 400020
Contact Person: Mr. Robert Felix Wiesinger / Mr. Girish Kabra
Whether you are an individual or a corporate, we invite you to fill www.karmayog.org/corproform.asp?r=41
Please visit www.karmayog.org/npoofthemonth/ to know about the 22 NGOs that have already been selected as the Karmayog Nonprofit-of-the-Month since we started this feature.
Thanks for your support for the Karmayog Nonprofit-of-the-Month concept.
Vinay