James F. Olwell

James F. Olwell is an Irish American writer and retired community organizer from the Bronx who lives in Montreal. An early organizer of the Irish Arts Center, Olwell served as its second director and was instrumental in obtaining the Hell’s Kitchen building that served as the Center’s home for more than thirty years. A Canadian since 1980, he worked as a professional community organizer with the Québec Health Care system, helping citizens create organizations and services that served their needs. In 2013, he was made a member of the Société des Grands Citoyens of the Borough of Côtes-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de Grâce. In Montréal, he cofounded an Irish theatre company, Theatre Saoirse, and created a radio show on Irish culture, Gan Focal Ar Bith/Without a Word. He cofounded the 2 Susans Poetry Circle and SpeakUp: The Montreal Interactive Poetry Exchange. He is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Crossings (Iron Rabbit Bindery) and Pensions (Snow Press).