Doug Sassi has been throwing pots on the potters' wheel since 1962. In the 1970's and 1980's Doug Sassi exhibited in many prestigious craft fairs. These included the craft markets run by the American Crafts Council in Dallas, Rhinebeck (New York), and Baltimore. He served a three year term on the board of directors of the ACC's marketing subsidiary: American Craft Enterprises. He also served a term on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman.

Doug Sassi has been a lecturer and/or artist-in-residence at Peters' Valley Craft Village (run by the National Park Service), the University of Minnesota, Penn State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and other colleges. He has three times been the recipient of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts: twice to support hin in an artist-in-schools program in Pennsylvania and once to host an apprentice in his studio for a year.

Doug Sassi holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in New York. He studied further with the renowned potter Karen Karnes.