Wings of Strength

Where Wings Find Their Strength

A mental health awareness month events series.

Honoring the healers and those courageously healing.

Mental Health Awareness Month

First week in May

Wings of Strength: A Transformative Art & Healing Series in St. Louis

There are moments in life when something shifts.

When you begin to realize that the relationships you once relied on…
the ones you thought were safe…
are actually the ones asking you to shrink, stay small, or abandon yourself.

And that realization?
It’s heavy. It’s complicated. And for so many—it’s deeply isolating.

Wings of Strength was created for that moment.

Led by St. Louis artist Carolyn Lewis in collaboration with TheraSistersStL and the Regional Arts Commission, this week-long immersive experience at City Foundry STL (May 2–9) blends art, storytelling, and therapeutic experiences to support those navigating healing, boundaries, and personal growth.

City Foundry StL ⎸ TheraSistersStL ⎸ Carolyn Lewis Designs

Be a Sponsor

How Wings of Strength Began

Wings of Strength is inspired by the artwork of Carolyn Lewis.

What began as artwork reflecting on launching children slowly evolved into something deeper: the realization that the nest she was building was also for herself.

Through therapy, reflection, and art, the metaphor expanded.

Wings do not simply appear.
They strengthen somewhere.

In therapy rooms.
In brave conversations.
In art studios.
In community spaces.
In the courageous act of beginning again.

Explore Carolyn’s Artwork

and visit her on Instagram

This Mental Health Awareness Month series honors the healers who hold space and the individuals who are doing the brave work of healing.

Wings of Strength is for:

All community members looking for deeper self-discovery
Anyone courageously redefining what “home” means
Individuals engaged in personal growth and/or therapy
Therapists & mental health professionals
Healers & wellness practitioners
People rebuilding after family estrangement

This space welcomes healers, helpers and those building their own new nests of belonging.

The Hard Truth (And Why This Matters)

Breaking free from toxic relationships is one of the hardest things a person can do.

Especially when those relationships are tied to:

Family
Long-term partners
People you were supposed to be able to trust

Setting boundaries can feel unnatural. Holding them can feel even harder.
And choosing yourself? That can come with grief, guilt, and fear.

But it can also be the beginning of everything.

This experience was created to say:
✨ You’re not alone in this
✨ What you’re feeling is real
✨ And there is strength on the other side

The Art That Tells the Story

Through layered collage, paint, and deeply personal materials, Carolyn Lewis brings this journey to life in a way that is both intimate and universally relatable.

You may already recognize her work—her empowerment birds seen throughout the St. Louis community, or her beloved “art library” concept that invites connection and creativity.

But this series is different.

This is her most vulnerable work to date.

Each piece reflects a stage of transformation:
🪺 Building the nest — creating safety where it didn’t exist before
🛡 Protecting what matters — holding boundaries for yourself and your family
🌱 Nurturing growth — learning who you are and what you need
🕊 Releasing — letting go of relationships and patterns that no longer serve you

It’s a reminder that even if you didn’t receive the safety or support you needed…
you have the power to create it.

4 Events

Carolyn’s Art Exhibit

3 Ticketed Events

Anticipated 200+ Attendees

Therapists • Wellness Professionals • Individuals in Therapy • Community Members

Building Foundations

Wings of Strength Events

Opening Night: Art Show + Artist Talk

May 2nd

6:00 PM -9:00 PM

Be the first to experience Wings of Strength in its full expression.

Join us for an evening of art, connection, and storytelling as Carolyn Lewis shares the heart behind her most personal collection yet.

Hear directly from the artist about:

The inspiration behind the series
The healing journey that shaped each piece
The courage it took to tell this story

This is more than an opening—it’s an invitation into something real.

3745 Foundry Way, Suite 149, StL, MO 63110

Honoring Carolyn Lewis’ art, personal journey and the work of mental health professionals.

This event is open to ALL

No ticket necessary

Music by

Ryan Marquez

Carolyn Lewis’ Where Wings Find Their Strength will be open to the public through May 9th.

The Healers Nest

A Therapeutic Workshop

May 3rd

1:00 PM -4:00 PM

What does safety feel like—to you?

In this hands-on, guided workshop, you’ll create your own symbolic “nest” using mixed materials—exploring what it means to build a life that truly supports you.

Designed for wellness professionals, healers, and anyone on a personal growth journey, this experience blends creativity with reflection to help you:
✨ Identify what makes you feel safe and supported
✨ Release what no longer aligns
✨ Create something tangible that represents your growth

You don’t need to be an artist—just open to the process.

🎟 Save your seat for the workshop →

3745 Foundry Way, Suite 149, StL, MO 63110

A time and place for healers to focus on building their nest of support, comfort and strength.

Create your personal artistic nest with natural materials.

Guided by

TheraSistersStL & Carolyn Lewis

50% off

with code

NEST50

Breaking Patterns & Building Nests

A Panel Discussion: Navigating Toxic Relationships

May 6th

6:30 PM- 8:30 PM

Let’s talk about the part that’s often left unspoken.

Join Carolyn Lewis, TheraSistersStL and fellow professionals for an honest, supportive conversation about:

Recognizing toxic dynamics
Setting and maintaining boundaries
The emotional impact of walking away
How to heal and move forward

Whether you’re in it, leaving it, or healing from it—this space is for you.

Come listen. Come ask questions. Come feel less alone.

🎟 Join the conversation: Reserve your spot below

3745 Foundry Way, Suite 149, StL, MO 63110

A thoughtful panel discussion exploring healing, boundaries and the courage it takes to redefine family.

Featuring

Emily Williams, LCSW ~ Natalie Coriell, LPC ~ Jason Wolff, LPC ~ Carolyn Lewis

Moderated by

TheraSistersStL

50% off

with Code

BREAK50

Winged Harmonies

A Sound Bath for Release

May 9th

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

After a week of reflection, growth, and connection… we gather to release.

Join us for a ceremonial closing Sound Bath led by Dr. Aria Thome of AriaSound108

This immersive experience uses sound and vibration to support emotional release, grounding, and renewal—helping you let go of what you’ve been holding onto and step forward with clarity and strength.

✨ Release
✨ Restore
✨ Renew

You don’t have to carry it anymore.

🎟 Reserve your spot for the closing ceremony

3745 Foundry Way, Suite 149, StL, MO 63110

A ceremonial sound bath where we will release what we are holding onto that no longer serves us.

Led by

Dr. Aria Thome'

50% off

with code

WINGED50

We look forward to holding this space with you.

Join us at any of these events and:

Take steps to love yourself again
Rebuild after a difficult relationship
Create something healthier for your future
Feel seen within a community that “gets it”

🎟 Explore the events + reserve your tickets now

📍 City Foundry STL
🗓 May 2–9

Art by Carolyn Lewis

A question to take with you

Sometimes the answer is therapy.
Sometimes community.
Sometimes art.
Sometimes the quiet courage to begin again.

Where do your wings find strength?

Community Partnerships

Wings of Strength is being created in collaboration with a small group of local businesses who believe in supporting mental wellness and community care.

TheraSistersStL invites 5-7 intentional community sponsors to partner with us.

Partnerships opportunities include: