Person to Person: Jessica Bonenfant is gearing up for Cork's May Sunday Festival

Tell us about yourself;

I am the Creative Director of Greywood Arts. I’m a cultural producer passionate about creating spaces where meaningful experiences can be shared. At Greywood, this means bringing artists and the community together to explore the creative process, connect and learn.

My background is in dance composition and improvisation, but now I work closely with artists to design impactful programming that engages communities through participation and creative placemaking. I love to travel, love animals, and am happiest by the seaside.

Where were you born?

I was born in Connecticut in the U.S.

Where do you live?

I live in Killeagh, a village of about 1,000 people in East Cork. Our house is also an artist’s residency for nine months of the year, meaning artists of all disciplines come from all over the world to work on their projects.

Family?

My husband, Hughie, is from Wicklow, and we have dogs, cats, chickens, ducks and goats. We’ve more or less adopted Colm, a retiree who helps us around Greywood.

Best friend?

I’m lucky to have made good friends through Greywood - we have a wonderful team, as well as old friends from home, and of course my husband, Hughie.

Earliest childhood memory?

I have a surreal memory of being underwater and seeing the tiles on the side of a swimming pool. I know my mom took me to baby swimming classes, so I think it is from that. I still find solace in being in the water.

Person you most admire? Professionally, I really admire Rosie Lynch from Workhouse Union in Kilkenny. I’m so inspired by the work she is doing with arts and community there and I am excited to receive mentorship from her this year.

Person who most irritates you?

Donald Trump more than irritates me…

Where was your most memorable holiday? I visited the village in Italy where my great-grandfather emigrated from. It was a wild day! We had no expectations, but ended up meeting distant relatives who invited us into their homes for food, and we had two museums opened just for us to visit them!

Favourite TV programme?

Ted Lasso

Favourite radio show?

I do more podcasts than radio, but love to catch Culture File on Lyric FM. I listen to a lot of storytelling shows, like The Moth, which I was introduced to on National Public Radio (NPR) in the U.S.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I love Mediterranean cuisine and will try my hand at any recipe. I love making my grandmother’s recipes, like Pizza Rustica, with salami and ricotta cheese.

Favourite restaurant?

Orzo in Cork city is a favourite spot.

Last book you read?

The Art Of Gathering: How We Meet And Why It Matters, by Priya Parker. I believe the social aspect of what we do at Greywood Arts, and how festivals like May Sunday bring people together, are as important as the creative activities we offer.

Best book you read?

This depends on the genre - I love escaping with Scandinavian murder mysteries, and read lots of Irish women writers, but I recently read the dystopian novel Prophet Song by Paul Lynch, and it has stuck with me - it feels frighteningly relevant in the current political climate, especially in the U.S.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

I rarely listen to an entire album anymore, but my current playlists are indie and folk by female vocalists or cherished oldies like Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke and Patsy Cline.

Favourite song?

She’s A Mystery To Me, by Roy Orbison

One person you would like to see in concert?

We have improvised traditional Irish musicians Damhsa Liomsa, led by Ireland’s only play strategist Martin O’ Donoghue, performing the Craic’d Céilí for May Sunday this year. They claim “it’s the most craic, you can legally have, in a field, with strangers”, so I’m dying to see what’s in store for us!

Do you have a pet?

Two rescue dogs, Miya and Elvis, and two cats, Mozz and Cashel. Elvis is my shadow, and Cashel is nearly 15 - he came over from the States with me.

Morning person or night owl?

Night owl-ish, although I can’t stay up as late as I used to!

Your proudest moment?

I recently found out that University of Michigan, where I did my MFA in Choreography, has selected me for the Christopher Kendall Award for my work with Greywood Arts. The award recognises alumni who have demonstrated collaboration, entrepreneurship, significant community engagement, interdisciplinary studies, and/or patronage to the arts in their professional work.

Spendthrift or saver?

Moderate - I think we work hard in order to have a nice life, but I try to be sensible with spending.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

The N25 going through the village is so busy - I think a bypass would make this a safer, quieter place to live with less air pollution.

What makes you happy?

A cup of strong coffee or a good glass of wine, good food, and sunshine - better yet, if I’m surrounded by the people (and pets) I love.

How would you like to be remembered?

I’d like to be remembered as someone who made a positive impact on the people they met and the place they lived.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I am up the walls planning our May Sunday Festival. It runs for four days over the May Bank Holiday weekend, and is jam-packed with performances, creative workshops, music and dancing in Glenbower Wood and at Greywood Arts. See www.maysunday.ie.