Houston – Award-winning floral artist and educator Ace Berry is having a big year and putting Fulshear, Texas, on the map in the process.
The South Texas native, known for his tattoos, sneakers, and down-to-earth Houston vibe, has become an unlikely star in the luxury floral world. After discovering his passion for flowers at 27, following a layoff from the oil fields, Berry has transformed a “happy accident” into a thriving career that now spans London, New York, and beyond.
In May, Berry and his team captured the coveted Innovation Award at Chelsea in Bloom, an annual floral festival that turns the London neighborhood into a living runway. Their interactive installation, located at a restaurant named Kale Street, local artist Russ Jones provided the cute mirrors with sayings. The entire installation, built around scaffolding and fresh produce from luxury grocer Andreas, defied expectations, especially after hearing skeptics say, “an American would never win.” “That was my motivation,” Berry said. “When someone says you can’t, I love proving them wrong.”
Just months earlier, Berry’s work was featured at the prestigious New York Orchid Dinner at The Plaza Hotel. His centerpiece inspired by Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán and incorporated traditional Mexican cookbooks. The piece that took five hours sold for an incredible $150,000, with proceeds benefiting the New York Botanical Garden’s conservation and research programs.
Despite his international schedule, Berry remains devoted to Fulshear. At Fulshear Floral Designs, he hosts monthly Friday night classes to inspire local flower enthusiasts and give back to the community that has supported him.
Putting Derrick and Tessa to work
During his recent appearance in our studio, Berry created a fruit and flower tablescape, a twist on a charcuterie board blending orchids, protea, spider mums, and tropical fruits for a sustainable, edible centerpiece.
For Berry, it all comes back to connection, “Flowers and food are where people gather,” he says. “That’s where family happens, whether it’s the family you’re born into or the family you choose.”