Executive Director
Allen Centennial Garden
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Dr. Reba Luiken is an architect of encounters with plants in her role as Executive Director of Allen Centennial Garden. She has a Ph.D. in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, a B.S. in Plant Biology, and a B.A. in Religious Studies. Reba also brings experience in museums and public gardens where she has worked in public programs, visitor engagement, and exhibit development. At Allen Centennial Garden, she is focused on building partnerships with people from across campus and beyond to make Allen Centennial Garden a hub of experiential learning and community formation on campus.
Talks:
Every Garden Tells A Story
At Allen Centennial Garden, we have over twenty different smaller gardens that display diverse styles of horticulture. Our goals is for each of these gardens to tell their own story. Learn how we make each space shine by emphasizing history, culture, and different ways plants are used.
WORKSHOP: Dyeing with Plants
Come and dye with Allen Centennial Garden staff! Learn the joy and experimental process of working with natural plant based dyes by working together with other workshop participants to transform different dye plants into your own unique colors. We’ll have at least two different colors and an array of examples pre-made to serve as our guide. Learn how to harvest in our dye garden for all the necessary materials. Interested in growing these plants? They’re easy to grow or forage;we’ll show you.
As we experience the process, we will discuss the importance and impact of plant based dyes throughout history, consider the differences and complexities of dyeing animal based fabric versus plant based fabric, and learn about the chemical process involved in making your plant based dye permanent. This is a great introductory course because it works with different techniques for dye extraction and fabric preparation.
Everyone will get to take home 2 (up to 20 people) or 4 (up to 10 people) fat quarters of cotton (22” x 18”). These may be used for future projects like quilting or hemmed into a napkin. You will have the knowledge to be able to grow your own dyeing materials!
Maximum attendance: 20
Length: 120 minutes
Setup needs: Tables and standard electrical outlets for portable electric elements. Access to water. Dyeing can be messy, so an area that is easy to clean (tile floor, outside, etc.) is helpful.
Supplies needed: We will provide the supplies (fabric, locally grown dye plants, mordants, and dye cooking supplies) for a flat fee of $700.
WORKSHOP: Make Your Own Wreath
Join Allen Centennial Garden Staff to create a holiday wreath in November or December. We’ll provide all the supplies and teach the basics. This one of a kind wreath, made by you, is a fine way to ring in the holiday season! A perfect gift or family activity.
We’ll take you through all the steps and have plenty of fresh greens on hand. Look forward to the sound of snips, the smell of evergreen, and the opportunity to learn and get to know the different evergreens–yew, pine, and spruce. Our staff will be on hand to lead you through the basics and answer any wreath making questions that may arise. (And, a garden question or two.)
We’ll provide a variety of evergreen boughs harvested from the Garden and the Madison-area, accent branches, a wire wreath frame, and additional wire. Some will complete this project in 90 minutes or less. Others will spend the full 2 hours. All create great wreaths!
Maximum attendance: 20
Length: 120 minutes
Setup needs: Tables and chairs for participants. Cleaning supplies to sweep up dropped greens.
Supplies needed: We will provide the supplies (wreath forms, wire, clippers, and locally harvested greens) for $50/person.