Eileen Fregeau

PotterMember Since 2025

I took my first pottery class in 1998. Throwing clay on a wheel looked like fun, and my hope was to create a mug. At the time I was an Art Director at a large advertising agency in NYC. The work was creative, but it demanded precision. Working with clay was so different —it was messy, unpredictable, soothing—and I loved it! 

In 2002, I changed careers and became an Art Therapist. This is when I learned to value the process of creating art instead of only focusing on the final product. I began embracing the meditative quality of working with clay, experimenting more and letting go of perfectionism. 

I discovered Wesleyan Potters in 2016, and after my first class I felt an immediate connection to the studio and community of artists. I learned new skills and techniques, explored different clay bodies, started hand building, and played with glaze combinations. 

I enjoy making both functional and decorative pottery. The clay often leads the way for me so each piece is a unique combination of form and function. I’m inspired by the colors, textures and curves in nature and I’m always thinking about how I can incorporate these into my work. I feel my pottery provides both a tactile and visual experience. My family gives me the best ideas for pieces they’d like and it challenges me to explore new techniques. It’s rewarding to see my pottery used, displayed and loved in their daily life.

Featured Work