David Willis grew up outside of New York City. He earned a BA in Interdepartmental Field Studies from UC Berkeley with an emphasis on social change and a Minor in conservation and resources studies. He began working with glass in 1994. Drawing heavily from nature and taking a cross-disciplinary approach to the material, his work focuses around the idea that the most intimate aspects of an individual’s life are common to all people.

Willis has been an instructor at institutions including the Pilchuck Glass School, the Corning Museum of Glass Studio, the University of Oregon, and the Penland School of Craft. His work is included in public, private, and museum collections nationally and internationally and has been published in books and magazines.