John de Wit studied glass and ceramics at the California State University in Chico in the late 1970s, attended the Pilchuck Glass School and was a glassblowing assistant to Dale Chihuly. He has since gone on to teach at Pilchuck, the Pratt Fine Art Center, and several workshops and lectures in France. His current work references the historic use of vessels and containers. De Wit states that these eccentric, colorful vessels and scepters are “inspired by the organic nature of Korean and Japanese ceramics and by the language of Venetian glass.” He appreciates the versatility of glass and in it the ability to combine expressive painting and sculpture.

John de Wit traveled to Korea to accept his award at the 4th Annual Cheongju International Craft Competition and Biennale. De Wit's glass sculptures "Peer" and "Paard" were among entrants to this exhibition. "Peer" was selected from thousands of entries to receive the Silver prize in the Craft Competition. His innovative vessels are discussed at length in a feature article in the Fall 2005 issue of Glass Quarterly.

For a second consecutive Biennale in Cheongju, Korea, John de Wit is a recipient of one of the significant honors for this prestigious symposium of international artists. The Cheongju International Craft Biennale is an artistic gathering of over three thousand participating artists from more than fifty countries around the world.

Under this year’s main theme “Creative Evolution: Deeply and Slowly,” the mission of the Biennale is to bring a world focus to the value of handcrafted art as its place in our technology driven world diminishes. Creative Evolution refers to the unending progress and adaptation of ideas as societies develop with the immutable change in our natural environment.

John was presented with a Gold Prize for his submission of a painted and blown glass sculptural vessel titled ‘Beck’, with the award came a $10,000 monetary award and trophy.