WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Before breaking the seal on a renovated Images Cinema, its leadership expressed gratitude to everyone who made it happen.

 

“Matt [Brogan] just said something to me about what a lucky day it is,” Images Board Chair Steve Simon said at the outset of Friday morning’s brief ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Spring Street movie house. “And I have to say, that is exactly the sentiment I have. What a lucky day.

 

“This has truly been a project of heart and love, envisioned, in many ways, by Kevin O’Rourke and Wit McKay. As we responded to what’s happened to theaters in this country with COVID and streaming, we were like, ‘We have to do something different and better.’ “

 

The result is a very different Images than the one that closed for renovations last October.

 

The most striking change is that where the facility once was a single, 150-seat theater, Images now boasts a 70-seat main screen, 18-seat second theater and 15-seat lounge. The new theaters also boast better seats and technical upgrades to enhance the viewing experience, like 4K laser projection in the big theater.

 

“In our main theater, thanks to a grant from Feigenbaum Foundation, we have a Dolby Atmos-certified system, the only of its kind in Berkshire County, and the only of its kind between New York and Boston,” Executive Director Dan Hudson said before joining Simon in cutting the ribbon. “It's truly a world class cinema that is a gift from the community back to the community. So proud and privileged to be part of all of this.”

 

The theater reopened in May but celebrated its rebirth Friday as part of the townwide, two-day celebration of America’s birth.

 

On Saturday, following the town’s annual 11 a.m. Independence Day parade, Images will hold an open house from noon to 1:30 followed by screenings of the Sundance Festival Short Film Tour at 2 and 4:30.

 

For Friday morning’s ceremony, Simon and Hudson were joined by board member Kevin O’Rourke and co-chair Matt Brogan, who each played a special role in the $2.2 million renovation.

 

“We were fortunate to have Matt Brogan, who is a theater designer by profession,” Simon said. “He thought he was coming up to the Berkshires to leave the theater world behind, but no. It followed him. Dan Hudson, our executive director, who also has, incredibly, a background in construction. We needed the both of them to pull this off.

 

“Kevin, as I already mentioned, was our fund-raising star and our vision of how to do this.”

 

Hudson pointed to the hundreds of people who supported Images’ capital campaign and people – past and present – who make the theater run.

 

“I want to thank and acknowledge all the current staff and former staff of Images Cinema,” Hudson said. “This dream has been a dream since the Sandra Thomas time. Many of you may know Sandra Thomas, who was twice my predecessor, and Doug Jones as well. Janet Curran, Dave Blair, all the many staff members who have contributed ... and the volunteers as well.

 

“This has been truly a community effort, and it's been for a community treasure. Images has been around for 110 years. Here's to another 110.”