Exhibition: Under the Big Oak 28 Mar - 2 May 2026
A free exhibition for Ages 4+ Visit the trail of paintings and illustrations by Jole Bortoli and children, as animals learn to adapt to our constantly changing climate.
One winter night the deer, the fox, the robin, the squirrel, the badger and the owl got together for a meeting under The Big Oak.
This is how our story begins, with a group of very concerned animals who in the face of ever-changing, unpredictable and disrupting weather events are forced to make some important decisions. With the help of an amazing group of children aged 8 to 12 years, artist and author Jole Bortoli has created an exhibition telling the animal’s story through illustration.
Join Jole on a special journey Under The Big Oak and explore the animal’s story, Jole’s illustrations and some of the children’s illustrations.
Curricular Links
Themes in this exhibition tie into elements across the SESE curricula exploring strands such as human and natural environments as well as environmental awareness and care. These workshops will also link into the drawing, looking & responding strands of the Visual Arts curriculum.
About Jole...
Jole Bortoli has for over 20 years been a visual artist, art-facilitator and director of Art to Heart – an art organisation that she established and that is dedicated to working with children and adults in art, educational and community settings.
Jole regularly curates and leads visual art programmes in The Ark, for which she has also designed the original visual identity. She also facilitates their Primary Schools Visual Art Curriculum programme that is part of the Department of Education and Skills approved summer course for teachers.
A passionate graphic designer, printmaker and illustrator Jole also produces her own illustrated stories which reflect in words and images the love for her native Italy and her adopted Ireland.
She currently works in Dublin and the Burren, Co. Clare where she leads workshops for children and adults.