Nancy Clarke - Former White House Chief Floral Designer
“I think flowers add a special warmth to a room, they sort of set the mood, set the tone, and I just think it helps the people coordinate better, get along better”
As a renowned Floral Designer, Nancy Clarke has created thousands of beautiful decorations and floral designs for 6 American Presidents and First Ladies, their families and the world’s foremost dignitaries.
For 30 years her exquisite floral designs brought beauty, grace and elegance to White House historical events including the Camp David Accords during the Carter Administration, the Russian Summit during the Reagan Administration, the NATO 50th Anniversary Summit during the Clinton Administration, and more recently, the first 100 days of President Obama’s Administration, when the newly-elected President Obama said “The fresh flowers are my favorite part of living in the White House.” -Pres. Barack Obama, January 2009.
In August 1978, Nancy Clarke became a volunteer floral designer working side-by-side with the permanent staff to decorate the Executive Residence. At the beginning of the Reagan Administration, in 1981, she became a full time member of the White House Flower Shop staff. In 1985, at the beginning the second term of President Reagan, she was hired as the White House Chief Floral Designer, a position she held until retiring on May 31, 2009. For thirty years, she designed everything from simple bud vases on the First Lady’s nightstand to elaborate and formal State Dinners. Her floral designs and Holiday decorations dazzled White House Kings and Queens including Heads of State, congressional members, journalists, as well as thousands of visitors to the mansion and millions of worldwide viewers of much-anticipated holiday television specials.
“I will especially miss Christmas time at the White House. Even after three decades and thirty-one Christmases, the majesty of working at the White House has yet to fade.” Nancy Clarke – May 2009
Hear Nancy Clarke speak at Garden Week on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. All Garden Week tours are free with regular admission.
Arrangements for the appearance of Nancy Clarke made through Greater Talent Network, Inc., New York, NY
