World-Renowned Holocaust Survivor Portrait Exhibition Coming to St. Louis

"Lest We Forget," by UNESCO Artist for Peace Luigi Toscano, to open April 16 at The District of St. Louis

St. Louis, March 19, 2026 - Conversation Builds Character, in partnership with Bayer and the Hans and Berthold Finkelstein Foundation, The Staenberg Group, and The Staenberg Family Foundation, today announced the St. Louis presentation of "Lest We Forget," a world-renowned public art exhibition by UNESCO Artist for Peace, Luigi Toscano.

The large-scale installation features powerful, larger-than-life photographic portraits of Holocaust survivors displayed in an open, barrier-free outdoor space. By bringing their stories beyond museum walls and into the public sphere, the exhibit fosters community dialogue, reflection, and remembrance. The exhibition has traveled around the world, with installations in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Israel, and major U.S. cities including New York, Boston, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and New Orleans. Following its successful debut in St. Louis in 2022, the exhibition returns to the region, offering the community another opportunity to engage with the portraits.

Local organizers say the exhibition carries a particular resonance for the St. Louis community.

"These portraits are a powerful call to action for the St. Louis community," said Dee Dee Simon, co-founder of Conversation Builds Character and chair of the Missouri Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission. "They challenge us not only to confront the history of the Holocaust, but also to uphold human dignity and mutual respect within our communities every day."

A series of other events will coincide with the exhibition, including a performance by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, a public discussion forum at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, as well as collaborative programs with the Soldier's Memorial Military Museum, Missouri History Museum and other community partners. For more information about the exhibition and related events, visit conversationbuildscharacter.org.

Representatives from The Staenberg Group and Bayer also emphasized the importance of bringing this exhibition back to St. Louis.
"Creating meaningful spaces where the community can gather and connect is central to what we do," said Michael Staenberg, founder and president of The Staenberg Group. "We're honored to host 'Lest We Forget' and provide a place where those from the St. Louis community and beyond can experience this powerful work together."

"We are proud to support efforts that strengthen resilience against antisemitism and other hateful ideologies," said Matthias Berninger, executive vice president, Head of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability at Bayer. "With the support of the Hans and Berthold Finkelstein Foundation, Bayer ensures that Holocaust survivors' stories are never forgotten, as in this exhibition, and that their lessons guide future generations."

Art Exhibition Details:

• What: "Lest We Forget" Public Art Exhibition
• When: Thursday, April 16 - Sunday, May 3, 2026
• Where: The District of St. Louis, 17057 North Outer Forty Rd., Chesterfield, Missouri
• Hours: Sunday - Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Cost: Free and open to the public

About Luigi Toscano
Luigi Toscano is a German-Italian photographer, filmmaker and author, known for his ongoing public art project 'Lest We Forget'. The project features large-scale portraits of Holocaust survivors and other victims of Nazi persecution, installed in public spaces around the world. His portraits are meant to give voice and visibility to those who survived. Learn more at luigi-toscano.com.

About Conversation Builds Character
Based in Chesterfield, Missouri, Conversation Builds Character is an educational initiative that empowers individuals to build a better future by learning from history, the present, and one another. Through reflection, dialogue, and educational programming in partnership with like-minded organizations, the initiative encourages people to examine their thoughts, speech, actions, and inaction in light of historical atrocities and to recognize the impact their choices have on the world around them.

About The Staenberg Family Foundation
Founded in 2005 by Michael and Carol Staenberg, The Staenberg Family Foundation has donated more than $50 million to charitable causes, guided by the belief that acts of service - large and small - help repair the world around us.

About The Staenberg Group
Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, The Staenberg Group is a real estate development firm that acquires, designs, leases, and manages retail and entertainment centers as catalysts for positive change in communities throughout the United States. Learn more at tsgproperties.com.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2025, the Group employed around 88,000 people and had sales of 45.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 5.8 billion euros.

About the Hans and Berthold Finkelstein Foundation
Bayer AG established the Hans and Berthold Finkelstein Foundation in 2023 to strengthen freedom and democracy as a responsible company, while addressing its historical role during the Nazi era. Through its work, the foundation honors the Finkelstein family's history and, in the spirit of its namesakes, combats antisemitism, racism, and all forms of discrimination.

The non-profit organization supports research and remembrance projects on crimes committed during the Nazi era, in particular on the subject of Nazi forced labor and I.G. Farbenindustrie AG, or I.G. Farben for short.

Contacts
For general event information, visit conversationbuildscharacter.org/lest-we-forget
For further information about the artist and exhibit:
Dee Dee Simon, Conversation Builds Character
Email: [email protected]

For further information about The Staenberg Group and The District of St. Louis:
Cristina Kulczycki, The Staenberg Group
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 314-513-1579

For further information about Bayer:
Kyel Richard, Bayer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 573-356-0241