JULY 28 • 2022 | 49
J
ames Wilbat is bringing
artistic glass Judaica
objects to Michigan
for the summer art fairs.
Although he doesn’t practice
Judaism, his wife and
children do; and he joins in
the traditions.
Menorahs and dreidels
will be among the pieces he
will display at the Orchard
Lake Fine Art Show, July
30-31, near Maple and
Orchard Lake roads in West
Bloomfield. He also regularly
brings his work to Ann
Arbor and Birmingham
events.
“I started making
Judaica products after I
got married in 1986 to
my lovely wife, Cara, who
runs my business,” Wilbat
said. “I surprised her with
a menorah for Chanukah,
and her relatives started
seeing what I did. They
urged me to do other
things for presents.
“I started doing dreidels
because I have a familiar
design in one or two of my
paperweights. After the
menorahs and dreidels, I
started doing personalized
kiddish cups for the relatives
for bar mitzvahs and bat
mitzvahs and yads to read
the Torah.
“Each time I conquered
something that I was happy
with, I would push myself
with one more. What other
items could I make out of
glass? They’ve been a big hit
for me.”
Wilbat, 68, has been
showing his work in
Michigan for decades and
has made many friends.
“I have continuing Jewish
customers in Michigan,” said
Wilbat, whose work also is
shown in galleries. “They’ve
become friends and invited
me to their houses. I can
stay and save on hotel bills
or just have dinner with
them. They’re no longer just
clients. They’re supportive
of my work, and I really
appreciate that.
“I’ve been doing summer
art fairs since 1985. I get to
see a lot of wonderful people
because of the relationships
I’ve had. I see all my friends
on the circuit. Even battling
the weather, it’s fun being
outside on weekends.”
Wilbat, who is attracted to
color, started out painting.
He moved to ceramics with
an urge to enter three-
dimensional work but was
not satisfied with the glazing.
A friend encouraged him to
move into glass.
In 2022, he earned prizes
that included an Award of
Excellence from the Boca
Raton Museum of Art
Show, Award of Excellence
from the Lincoln Roscoe
Art Show in Chicago and
a Judges Selection Award
from the Cain Park Arts
Festival in Cleveland
Artist James Wilbat will be showcasing menorahs and
dreidels at the Orchard Lake Fine Art Show.
Judaica in Glass
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ARTS&LIFE
ART
COURTESY OF JAMES WILBAT
A collection
of glass
dreidels
Menorah
with swirl
continued on page 50