From Montreal to Athens to Hollywood — and back again.

From Hollywood productions to college classrooms and the visual arts, ACS Athens alumnus Dimitri Kaliviotis (Class of 1995) has shaped a creative life defined by curiosity, craftsmanship, and meaningful human connections. Born in Montreal, Canada and now based in Athens, Dimitri is an artist, model-maker and educator. His early artistic spark was nurtured at ACS Athens, especially through graphic art, painting and drama.

Formative Years at ACS Athens

Dimitri attended ACS Athens from 1992–1995 (Grades 10–12) and speaks fondly of the creative freedom he found in the classroom. He credits Cim Thomakos, Mrs kafkalas, Dusty Fisher, and Mr. Scalcos with shaping  foundations of his creative language:

“They introduced us to different modes of thinking — concepts and methods I cover in my teachings today.”

He also recalls how discussions in Sociology/Psychology with Mr. Pelidis profoundly shaped his understanding of human interactions.

“They say the greatest predictor of health and longevity are the quantity and quality of our relationships.”

Returning to Give Back

Years after graduating, Dimitri returned to ACS Athens as an instructor, teaching sculpting to Middle School students during the summer, thanks to an invitation by the late Mr. Medeiros—an experience he describes as:

“Very rewarding, with very unexpected results.”

Mr. Medeiros later attended Dimitri’s first solo exhibition in Athens to offer heartfelt, honest feedback—something Dimitri deeply valued.

Dimitri also visited classes to speak about his work and what he learned on Hollywood productions.

In November 2025, Dimitri served as an alumni speaker at the 4th Annual Alumni Insight Session, offering guidance and reflections to the Class of 2026.

This year, he returned once again—participating in the 2nd ACS Athens Artists & Authors Spotlight Exhibition, where our community had the opportunity to view a selection of his works on campus.

Academic Path & Professional Journey

After ACS Athens, Dimitri returned to Montreal to pursue Design Art at Concordia University. The liberating curriculum encouraged bold personal projects and instilled lessons whose deeper meaning he recognized later in his professional and personal life.

His first major step into the industry began with a decade of work as a miniatures and props maker for live-action Hollywood productions.

Today, Dimitri teaches observational drawing, perspective, painting, and character design to college students in Athens, continuing to mentor and inspire emerging artists. He has also taught sculpting for many years.

Career Highlights

Some standout moments from his journey include:

• Seeing his creations come to life on the big screen
• Hosting his first solo exhibition on Lefkada Island, sparking unexpected community excitement
• Hearing students ask for more of his classes
• Witnessing young artists experience deep personal and artistic realizations

Life Beyond the Studio

Outside the classroom, Dimitri enjoys watching films, cooking, sketching ideas, and writing for newspapers and magazines. Recently, he has been restoring vintage RC cars, and is even planning a trip to France to document a unique and historic rc model.

He also participates in exhibitions that raise awareness for mental health, a cause he believes is “as important as it is neglected.”

On Lessons Learned

When reflecting on life’s most important lessons since ACS Athens, Dimitri shared:

“If you don’t take the decision, sooner or later it will be taken for you.”

Choosing a single defining moment would unnecessarily hurt his head—something he’s grateful for.

Words of Wisdom for Today’s Students

“You have tons of time to try many different things, but time goes fast.”

and “your life doesn’t start after some meaningful milestone - it started a while back”

He also reflects on the importance of ACS Athens’ mission to develop conscious global citizens:

“With today’s connectedness, dangerous ideas can spread faster than ever… We must be very well acquainted with the ones pulling the strings within us. Few will instigate big positive changes, but the many must be prepared for them—more than ever before.”

What He’s Most Proud Of

Above all, Dimitri values knowing that he has helped others see the world differently:

“Some people have told me I’ve inspired them to do their thing. Others have said I’ve made them see things in a different way.”

A Warm Thank You

Thank you, Dimitri, for inspiring young minds and continually giving back to your ACS Athens community.
We thank you for coming back on campus for the alumni exhibition. We admired your work throughout the exhibition week.