Profiles in Creativity: Kimberly Nario

Name: Kimberly Nario
Birthplace: Virginia Beach, VA
Occupation: Operations Manager at Gallery5
VisArts Class: The Nuts and Bolts of Playwriting

Kimberly Nario grew up thinking she wanted to be an actress. But like many who attempt to follow the path of a performer, she discovered it was nothing like what she had hoped it would be. Unlike many who initially follow a mistaken path, she had the courage to alter her direction.

That’s just the type of woman Kimberly is. Assertive. Determined. Focused. For her, the answers come simply. Not happy with your neighborhood? Change it. Not happy with your major? Change it. Not happy with your job? Change it.

Yet through all the changes that have taken place in this Richmond resident’s life, there has been one constant: she’s always followed a creative path. And that imaginative spirit led her to the doors of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts).

Can you tell us a little about where you grew up?
I was raised in Virginia Beach, but then I came to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for college and I stayed here. I couldn’t see myself really growing in Virginia Beach. There’s a lot of history in Richmond and a lot more independence here. For four years, I lived in Jackson Ward, which is a historic neighborhood.

What was your concentration at VCU?
I studied theatre and started in acting, but I didn’t like where it was taking [me], so I got a Bachelor of Arts degree instead of a BFA. Acting was something that I always wanted to do, but when I started actually learning about it, I didn’t love it anymore. When you’re acting, I feel a lot of the time you are doing what someone tells you to do. I feel like writing comes from a more instinctual place for me.

So that’s where playwriting comes in?
Theatre VCU didn’t have any playwriting, and I had never taken classes previously. I’ve known a few people who worked at the Visual Arts Center, so I knew they had writing classes. When I was looking at the VisArts website, at the Adult Scholarships form [for financial assistance], I knew I had to at least try. I had switched jobs at the beginning of the year. I dropped half of my shifts at my old job, even though it was paying me more, to do something that I wanted to do.

What do you do now?
Well, when I first moved here, I went overboard with everything because it was completely new to me. But in my junior year, I started volunteering at Gallery5, and I’ve been here ever since. I’m the Operations Manager—which means I write people’s checks and sometimes clean the bathroom (laughs).

 So even at work, you’re writing. Can you tell us a little about the writing you do at VisArts?
I thought it was going to be a lot more formal, but it’s timed writing for 10 to 30 minutes. You write down what would make sense stage-wise—whatever comes out of your head. It’s very free-form—scenes, monologues. Afterward, each person reads what he or she has written and the rest of the class says what works and what they don’t understand. My instructor is great. He asks questions that we’re too shy to ask or haven’t thought of yet.

 Do you plan on continuing with writing after the class ends?
It’s something that I love to do. I want to start a play-reading series at Gallery 5—something where people can workshop new material or get help with something they’ve been working on for a while.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Creativity is just easier in Richmond. When I was younger, I didn’t have time to explore, but after living on my own here, it really affected me. That’s what VisArts and Richmond have given me—freedom to find the things I really love and the support to help those things grow.

A special “Thank You!” to West Cary Group for providing scholarship opportunities for VisArts students!  For more information about the Scholarship for Creativity, or to apply for a scholarship, visit the Adult Classes page of the VisArts website.

For more information about corporate partnerships with VisArts, please contact Jenna Mosman, Development Director, by phone at 804.353.4457 or via email at jennamosman@visarts.org.