Image Arts alumni, faculty and friends lead screening room refresh

Nick Stiliadis, an alumnus of Ryerson’s School of Image Arts ('78), and Chairman and CEO of Cinemavault, often visits the school to speak to students. When the new Image Arts building and Ryerson Image Centre opened in 2012, he was invited to tour the new facilities. He was impressed. “[President] Levy has done an incredible job. The new building and gallery are great.”

On seeing the screening room however, he perhaps experienced too much nostalgia. “It was like stepping into a time-capsule. Same chairs. Same walls. Not much had changed.” Stiliadis decided to lead the way with his own generous contribution, and spearheaded a campaign to update the room to meet today’s standards.

Stiliadis recalls attending lectures and studying films in the screening room on the third floor of the Image Arts building. “We’d watch all kinds of movies there – including our own – and we’d discuss them afterwards.”

Choosing Ryerson was something akin to osmosis for the Film and Photo Arts graduate. “I was attending Greek school and the Orthodox Church on Bond, across the street from what became the Image Arts building.” Developing a passion for film as he grew of age to enter university, Stiliadis chose Ryerson over UCLA. It was right across the street, and “it had all the same learning opportunities and equipment, which was state-of-the-art at the time. It felt meant to be.”

After graduating, Stiliadis found himself dissatisfied with the work opportunities available, so he decided to start a company. “Ryerson provided an environment where you could take what you learned and apply it. The school gave you the tools to do it.” He opened an office in Los Angeles, eventually expanding to New York and Toronto. Stiliadis has served as executive producer on iconic films like Pump Up the Volume, and worked with top talent like Steve Buscemi, Sienna Miller, and Stanley Tucci.

Robert Burley shares Stiliadis’ fond memories of IMA 307. The accomplished photographer, Ryerson faculty member, and Photo Arts Program Director (and alumnus, Photo Arts ‘80) notes: “It's a touchstone for all Image Arts students. Everyone who has graduated from our programs shares the experience of 307 - a place where you were introduced to new ideas through lectures, screenings, and artist's talks.”

Burley says the revitalization of the screening room is a great opportunity for faculty, staff and alumni involvement. For a gift of $500 or over, a supporter can have their name inscribed on one of the new seats. “This will offer many generations of graduates, staff and faculty the opportunity to participate in the institutional memory of Image Arts,” says Burley.

Thanks to additional support from Elvino Sauro, Kino Flo Lighting Systems, Aden Camera, and others, renovations are nearly complete, and the new space will be unveiled this fall. Upgrades include new 4K Ultra HD projection and audio technology, improved acoustics, and new cinema-style seating.

”This venue was always used to connect our students to the world beyond these walls,” says Burley. “Now it’s better equipped to do so.”