As a native of Finland, a country known for its thousands of lakes and islands, Pirjo Restina appreciates a beautiful environment. For 24 years, Restina has enjoyed such surroundings working at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.
Restina, the attraction's curator of education, said what started out as a part-time job, "just while my kids were in school," turned into a career and association with the Gardens that couldn't be more satisfying professionally or personally.
"I have a wonderful career where I can use my creativity in a beautiful environment and setting," Restina says. "From music to art to the environment to animals - where else could I have all that?"
Restina is responsible for planning art exhibits, art classes, art workshops, discovery and learning off-site excursions, concerts and other music events, and the Garden Campus program for children and families. For the 2009-10 season, she has scheduled approximately 30 educational events - plenty to keep someone busy, even someone with incredible energy like her.
However, working as the education curator means more to Restina than organizing events and workshops.
"The trip we are going to take to the Everglades (in March) is to show people the environmentally threatened area so that they can learn about it," she explains. "But, I want them to take ownership in what needs to be done, make it their mission and join forces to help protect it."
Restina's love of maintaining and protecting the environment certainly ia an asset in her position, and she appreciates the incredible beauty right outside her office.
"I am working in the most beautiful spot in Polk County - maybe in Florida," Restina says. Quickly and sincerely, she exalts to listeners the Gardens' achievements and successes - like being selected as "Best Garden" by the readers of Florida Monthly Magazine.
As a newlywed, the seemingly unstoppable girl from Finland moved to the United States in the early 1970s with her American husband. They met when he rented an apartment from her mother during a temporary visit for educational purposes.
"I miss Finland and my family there. I think about beautiful Finland every day! I miss its winters, cross-country skiing on pure white snow," she recalls nostalgically. "And the summers - its white nights - going wild blueberry and raspberry picking in the woods."
Remarkably beautiful in its own right, Bok Tower Gardens, a national historic landmark, opened in 1929. Edward Bok, the visionary who purchased the land with plans to open the Gardens, knew that others would enjoy the sweeping landscape of lush gardens and majestic Singing Tower with a carillon just as he did - and just as Restina does.
"If you haven't visited Bok Tower Gardens, hurry up! You are in for a treat," Restina said. "Becoming a member is the best deal and best gift you can give to yourself or anybody else and at the same time support the mission of Bok Tower Gardens."
A bit modest talking about herself, she'd rather focus on the Gardens - what the real story is about from her perspective.
"Pirjo and the Gardens are intertwined," said Sharon Rice, a Bok Tower Gardens volunteer and member. "She is a remarkable professional. She has many, many contacts in the world of art and music and is gracious to everyone."
Restina's co-workers are also part of those who "adore her," said Cassie Jacoby, the communications director for Bok Tower Gardens.
"We all love her upbeat attitude, inquisitive nature and love of the arts," Jacoby said.
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Pirjo Restina, the curator of education at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, stands next to a piano that was a gift to Nellie Lee Holt Bok, Edward Bok's daughter-in-law, from the Bok Family. The piano is in the music room at the Pinewood Estate.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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Completing her education in Finland before moving here, Restina is fluent in six languages.
"One time, she took me to a gallery opening in Orlando where we met a Greek artist," Jacoby said. "Not only did she speak Greek with him, but she convinced him to donate his services to teach here at Bok."
Restina enjoys spending her spare time with her three daughters and three grandchildren - to whom she's Moomi (grandmother in Finland).
One of Restina's favorite quotes is from Bok's personal forward to his "Sanctuary Booklet": "An inspiration is of little value if it is not carried into realization."
In Restina's case, she uses what Bok created as a daily inspiration and carries on his vision of sharing the Gardens with everyone.
"I get to work among all the things I love," she said. "When I meet someone who hasn't been here, I'm amazed. It's just mind boggling what Bok created here."
