Visual Arts CPD for Teachers: Under the Big Oak 21 Mar 2026
Join exhibition curator and artist Jole Bortoli for a fun and engaging workshop inspired by The Ark’s newest exhibition – Under The Big Oak!
Under The Big Oak is a visual art/illustration programme designed for children aged 8 to 12. Children worked with artist Jole Bortoli to create a body of work aimed at illustrating the Under The Big Oak story. The artwork produced during this programme has transformed The Ark’s gallery for its newest, child-led exhibition.
Now, teachers are invited to join in the fun! During this CPD workshop, teachers will have a preview tour of the exhibition and join Jole on a special journey through the most loved illustrated children’s stories. Learning a variety of illustration styles and testing out some illustration mediums, teachers will walk away with ideas to replicate illustration in the classroom.
In this CPD workshop for teachers, you will;
- Learn about illustration, exploring different styles and mediums
- Experiment with their own illustrations, creating stories inspired by the Under The Big Oak exhibition
- Create new ideas for lesson plans to bring back to the classroom
- Discover ways to engage with The Ark’s spring exhibition, Under The Big Oak, and continue the experience of visiting the gallery in the classroom!
Curricular Links
This workshop explores the various strands of the Visual Arts ‘99 curriculum – Making, looking and responding to Drawing, Print, Paint & Colour.
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.