June 25, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Attleboro Area Industrial Museum, Inc.
Tel: 508-222-3918
info@industrialmuseum.com

Maryland Resident and City's Native Daughter Christens AAIM Gift Shop

Attleboro, MA - The winning entry for the "Name the Gift Shop Contest" at the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum, Inc. has finally been chosen. The shop now has an identity that ties in with the history of the building and the mission of the Museum. The Refined Arts Gift Shop was chosen as the winning entry. A sign with the new name will be installed later on this summer at a reception showcasing the various artists whose work is for sale there. On a recent visit back to Attleboro to visit her family, Barbara Kloc and her mother Stella stopped by the Museum. They wanted to visit the place where Barbara's Dad, the late Walter Kloc, spent many years working. And, while she was at the Museum, noticed the contest and decided to come up with an entry. "Refined" is defined as being free from coarseness or vulgarity; purified, and having acquired polish and elegance - an attribute that certainly pertains to the fine work of the local artisans whose work is sold at AAIM's Refined Arts Gift Shop. Barbara stated that while she is far away in Maryland, her heart is still in Attleboro. She remembers the area fondly, and stated that "It would be a personal honor for me to participate where my father actually worked for many years." The winning prize is a gift certificate to the Museum's Educational Program for $250 and a one-year individual membership valued at $25. Barbara will be able to take one class or any combination of classes that equal the amount of the gift certificate from the selection of classes offered in the AAIM Museum School or Jewelry Studio.

Barbara Kloc received her BFA from the Swain School of Design (now merged into UMass Dartmouth), her MFA in Art Education from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and studied Psychology and Education as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. Her personal aesthetic philosophy statement: "Each of us is a natural artist. Connection to beauty in nature through creative observation is a wondrous way to feel our own beauty within. We 'listen' with our eyes, exchange communiqués of emotions evoked whenever we recognize simple and lovely imagery. This artist hopes to encourage these connections to the abundant visual feasts nature provides in our surroundings."

Barbara's current work includes butterfly, floral and botanical photography, drawing, and print series, including hand-tinted photography, collage, and mixed media compositions. Barbara has exhibited her art widely throughout the Maryland area. She has completed special commissions and developed Expressive Arts programs for special populations. She has been a Counselor and Educator in Arts and Human Services programs for over thirty years.

It is the mission of the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum, Inc. (AAIM) to collect and preserve the artifacts, photographs, documents, publications, tools, and machinery that relate to the industrial history of the Attleboro area; to make these materials readily available for both research and enjoyment; and to act as a resource center for the education of the public about the industrial history of the Attleboro area, so that knowledge of the past may contribute to a fuller understanding of the present and inspiration for the future. The summer hours for the Museum began the week of June 22nd. The Museum is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

The Refined Arts Gift Shop at the Museum displays for sale the work of local artisans whose creations reflect the mission of the Museum and continue the traditions of local artisanship and craft. Jewelry, braided rugs, woodcarvings, glass art, stationery, maps, books, and children's educational toys and books are some of the items available at the Refined Arts Gift Shop. The Shop is open when the Museum is open. Summer hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00am - 4:00pm.