Start with your story
Coalescence is a three-week personal creative development program for young artists. Using personal storytelling as a foundation, students learn how to turn their lived experience into powerful, original work.
Designed as a bridge between skills-based high school classes and college-level creative practice, the program invites students to live and work like artists, exploring ideas, asking meaningful questions, and creating in community.
Whether your goal is to develop a strong personal statement for college applications, build creative confidence, or spend time in a thoughtful peer community, Coalescence provides a supportive environment for meaningful creative work.
Make something powerful
WEEK 1
The program begins with the stories brought into the space. Through conversation, movement, writing, and creative play, those stories are explored together, opening reflection on the experiences that shape how the world is seen.
Artists such as James Baldwin and Tyler, the Creator offer inspiration for how personal experience can become the foundation of a distinctive creative voice.
WEEK 2
Each person chooses one personal story and explores it across different mediums. A story might become a performance, a song, a zine, a painting, a film, or a mix of forms. Work in disciplines you are already familiar with or learn new skills with hands-on faculty mentors.
As the story shifts shape, reflection and feedback help reveal what changes, what stays true, and what feels honest.
WEEK 3
The final week focuses on refining what feels most alive. Work is shaped for a Final Showcase, where creative expressions are shared with the community and the process behind them is named.
The stories developed here carry forward, into college essays, portfolios, and future creative work, while clarifying voice, values, and direction.
A letter from the Director
There comes a point in every young person’s journey where the question shifts from “What do I want to do?” to “Who do I want to be?” — a moment between what’s been learned and what’s next. We designed Coalescence for that moment.
This program isn’t about resumes, auditions, or outcomes. It’s about creating space, real, breathing space , to slow down, look inward, and discover what creativity and community can teach us about living a life that feels like our own.
France offers the perfect rhythm for this kind of work. Here, art is part of daily life — in the way people talk, cook, gather, and care. It’s not performative; it’s lived. I have seen how powerful this environment can be. It’s not about becoming a different person; it’s about uncovering the one who’s already there.
We believe young creatives deserve spaces that ask more of their hearts than their grades, and that honor process over perfection. If that resonates, if you’re ready to see what creativity can mean beyond the classroom, we can’t wait to meet you here in Normandy.
With warmth and excitement,
Cage Sebastien Pierre, Director
Cage is a Chicago-based artist and creative whose work bridges art, performance, and cultural innovation. He holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota and an MA in Design for Social Impact from Paris College of Art, where he studied design thinking, participatory design, and social governance.
Cage has led youth programs, facilitated cross-cultural collaborations, and designed immersive installations that invite audiences to engage with brands, stories, and each other in transformative ways. His work is recognized internationally for its originality, clarity, and the ability to empower others to think bigger and connect more deeply.
Dates and Details
Program Dates
June 24th - July 11th, 2026
Cohort Size
8-10 students
Cost
$5800 inclusive of all rooming, meals, excursions, activities and supplies. Not included in the cost is round trip airfare to Paris and some meals out.
Eligibility
Ages 14-18 including graduated seniors
Language Requirements
None. This program is taught in English.
College Credit and Scholarship
College credit is NOT available for this program.
Scholarships are available for this program.
Who is this program for?
Coalescence is for young artists who want to create with intention, explore new ideas, and work in community.
This program is a good fit for students who:
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enjoy a wide variety of creative expression
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want a summer experience with depth and meaning
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value collaboration and learning with peers
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want to experiment and step into unfamiliar territory
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are curious about personal storytelling and creative voice
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want time and space to reflect before the transition to college
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are ready to think more independently about their ideas and direction
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are seeking a unique, standout experience for a college or arts school application
What will I take away?
Coalescence is for young artists who want time and space to strengthen their voice and begin shaping a creative path that feels true.
Some takeaways from this program are:
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Greater confidence articulating who they are, what they care about, and how they think
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Meaningful material for college essays, interviews, and creative submissions
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Experience working independently and collaboratively in a small, supportive community
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Stronger communication skills through reflection, discussion, and presentation
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A deeper sense of creative direction and personal voice
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Time and space to slow down, reflect, and prepare for the transition to college
Where will we go?
Coalescence is shaped by its setting in Normandy, where landscape, history, and daily life become part of the creative inquiry. Field trips are woven into the program as points of inspiration and reflection, offering new perspectives and shared experiences that feed back into creative work.
Field trips include:
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St-Vaast Market: A traditional French market in a picturesque seaside town
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Cherbourg: A bustling port city with historic beauty
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Bayeux: Medieval town central in the story of the Norman Conquest
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Nez de Jobourg: Breathtaking coastal hike with views reaching across to the Channel Islands
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What our students say
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