David McDermott was raised in Sagamore and Sandwich, and declined a scholarship to the presitigious Pratt Institute of New York, instead taking a job as an apprentice engraver at Pairpoint Glassworks in Sandwich when he was eighteen years old.  He flourished under the tutelage of lead Gaffer Robert Mason, originally from Scotland.  He continued working at Pairpoint, perfecting his skills for over thirty years.

He met the love of his life, glassblower Yukimi Matsumoto, during a class at the Corning Museum of Glass, and together they built a studio which opened in 2001.  The successful studio is run by David and Yukimi, with the assistance of another Cape Cod native and former student of McDermott's, Isabel Green.  In spite of the challengers of running a flourishing business and creating his art, McDermott still finds time to teach his popular class "A Different Way" at the Corning Museum.  Truly remarkable talents to be found at the McDermott Glass Studio.   This special exhibit in the Contemporary Gallery is truly engaging and compelling.