Welcome Downtown Council’s Summer Interns!
Left: Lilly Gerend | Right: Andrezza Scala
This summer, Art in the Loop, Downtown Council, and Downtown Community Improvement District welcome two new interns! Over the next few months, they will have the opportunity to work closely with people across downtown to assist in the development of our city. Their work will focus on the public activation and event series managed by the Downtown Council, Art in the Loop, and the Downtown/River Market CIDs. This includes assisting with social media, website updates, event documentation, special writing projects related to the activations and artists, and event logistics support.
Andrezza Scala
Andrezza Scala, born in Peru, moved around a lot growing up—from Peru to Mexico, to Italy, and eventually all the way to Kansas City. When she was 17, her family found themselves in Prairie Village, which marked Andrezza’s first introduction to KC. As she grew, she moved to Denver, Colorado, to potentially pursue a university degree, but home and family called her back. Returning to the area brought her closer to the heart of Kansas City. She is now attending the Kansas City Art Institute, majoring in Animation.
Andrezza became interested in art at a young age after taking various theatre and visual art classes, naturally gravitating toward animation. When asked about her inspirations, she responded:
“Real life experiences, for sure. My animals and my cultures. I come from a Peruvian Italian background. My culture is something that heavily inspires me.”
She discovered this internship through the Kansas City Art Institute’s internship portal. The presence of art in KC, as well as the combination of writing, public activation, and speaking, drew her to apply for this particular role. She expressed her excitement about the collaboration between Art in the Loop and KCAI, and the involvement of alumni.
“This internship has shown me that there are a lot more opportunities than what people talk about. You just got to really look for it,” she said. “[It] gives me hope. And it’s like… all the effort I’m putting into school right now, it’s going to pay off one day. It’s exciting.”
Through creating graphics, photographing an entire event with her own camera, and communicating with artists, Andrezza has already shown that her attention to detail and hardworking demeanor will make her a valuable asset to this team—and every project she works on.
Lilly Gerend
Our second intern is Lilly Gerend, who was born in Illinois but raised in Kansas City. She is spending her summer bringing energy, empathy, and creativity to Art in the Loop, with a special focus on performing arts. Currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater from Ohio University, Lilly brings a strong performance background to the role.
Her connection to the program is personal—she grew up immersed in the downtown arts scene, often attending the very events she now helps bring to life. With a background in theater and a lifelong love for music, dance, and storytelling, Lilly approaches her work with a clear sense of purpose.
“Art is rooted in humanity,” she says. “It helps us understand and connect with each other.”
Through her studies, she is learning to be not just a performer, but a reflective artist—someone who values emotional depth and intentionality. At Art in the Loop, she’s excited to bridge her passion for performance with public art programming. She has especially enjoyed attending events like the Summer in the City series, where she interacts with audiences and witnesses firsthand how creativity can transform public space.
“Being part of something that brings people together like this is really powerful,” she shares.
Although theater is her main discipline, Lilly also finds comfort in painting and other visual art forms, which she enjoys on a personal level. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, her curiosity and commitment to growth shape every experience.
This internship has strengthened her appreciation for the local art community and sparked ideas for how she can carry these lessons forward. Lilly’s positivity, openness, and dedication to community engagement make her a standout addition to the team this summer.
The internships are funded in part by the generous support of Copaken Brooks, a full-service commercial real estate company headquartered in Downtown Kansas City. For more information, contact Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org.
