Aimé Donna Kelly, who plays Captain Renee Curry on Law & Order SVU, got her start as an artist while a student at the University of the Arts.

Fans of Law & Order: SVU are likely familiar with Captain Renee Curry, who has seen her role on the show become more prominent over the past five years.

She recently started having her name and photo in the show’s opening credits.

Aimé Donna Kelly, the actress who plays the character, is a University of the Arts graduate, writes Victor Fiorillo for Philadelphia Magazine.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Kelly came to Philadelphia in 2005 to study at UArts.

“It wasn’t my first choice, but then I came to visit. We drove over the Ben Franklin Bridge and into the city and saw all these murals, and it was the murals that made me realize this is an artists’ haven, this is where I need to be,” she said.

She auditioned for UArts and cancelled all her other auditions, starting an 11-year tenure as a Center City resident.

Upon hearing about UArts’ closure, Kelly thought it was a devastating travesty. She credits the school for changing her life as an artist.

Kelly’s family have religiously watched Law & Order for years.

“And now I’m in the show. It’s such a big deal for my family. They cry during those opening credits. It’s very emotional,” said Kelly.