Bibi Andrade & Myroslava Koliadenko Make a Superhero Comic Book About Ukraine
Editor’s Note: Our first ArtSpeak video conversation with Bibi Andrade, focused on her life and career and the creation of a graphic biography of legendary soul man, Sam Moore. See: The Creative Adventures of Brigitte “Bibi” Andrade.
In the video conversation below, we address Andrade’s desire to create a book of hope for children who suffer through war. To that purpose, Andrade worked with 18 year-old Ukrainian refugee Myroslava Koliadenko to create “T Superheroes.”
BRIGITTE “BIBI” ANDRADE a multi-talented artist, Fashion Institute of Technology graduate, and former model, is a 43 year veteran of the Beauty Industry, where she acted as an agent for photographers, hair, and makeup artists. From 1981 until 1986, Andrade was Managing Director for Beauty Bookings, where she created an international network for artists to showcase their talents abroad, while working with such prestigious clients as Vogue, Revlon, Harpers and Clairol.
Ever evolving, Andrade formed her own agency, Brigitte Inc., where she represented many domestic and international artists in the beauty and fashion industry, negotiating all bookings for photo and film shoots. The multi-faceted Andrade started a full-scale production company called Andrade International Productions Inc., handling every aspect of the creative process from design layout to production. For the last 31 years, Andrade has chosen to make Miami Beach her home, where she founded BB International Productions (1998-2021), and in 2022 formed a new company Bibi Art Media Inc. with the innovative creation of “The Adventures of Bibi and Friends,” a comic book that chronicles the travels and business dealings of a fictional public relations executive as she conducts her business. The Bibi character has been synonymous with everything cool in Miami Beach and the comic books led to a parallel career as an artist. Brigitte has received awards for her creative historical work from a Key to The City of Miami Beach in 2006, to being nominated for Tourism Professional of The Year in Dade-County in 2023. To date, 17 “Bibi” comic books have been published with the support of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, The City of Miami Beach, leading restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and major national sponsors. Andrade currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee, serves on the MB Sister Cities Committee, and is a board member of the Miami Beach Arts Trust, which publishes the online art, theater & cultural website Miamiartzine.com. Andrade also provides free social media marketing with her Artdecembermiami.co website, which is celebrating 16 years of supporting local & international artists and art events.
~booksandbooks.com
MYROSLAVA KOLIADENDO
Eighteen year-old Myroslava “Mira” Koliadenko is a resourceful and creative high school senior, passionate about the arts and making a difference in her community. A native of Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine, she faced immense challenges when Ukraine was invaded in 2022, but turned adversity into action. Now based in Miami Beach, Florida, Koliadenko pursues a rigorous academic program, including the full-time dual enrollment program at Florida International University, while actively engaging in various creative and social initiatives.
As the founder of the “SVITLO Project”, Koliadenko has raised awareness about her Ukrainian heritage, and organized cultural and fundraising events that garnered widespread participation. She also became part of a support program for newly arrived Ukrainian students in her local high school, assisting them in adapting to their new educational environment.
Koliadenko was hired by Bibi Andrade to help develop a comic book project — “T-Superheroes” — aimed at bringing hope to children affected by war. As part of the Summer Youth Internship Program, Koliadenko contributed editorial assistance, leveraging her creativity in shaping the visual and narrative elements.
Koliadenko also participates in international piano and dance competitions, where she not only performs, but also choreographs award-winning routines. She is also a budding songwriter and poet, channeling her emotions and experiences into meaningful artistic expressions.
The videos below were recorded in the Sam Moore Legendary Soul Man Theatre at the FIU Lee Caplin School of Journalism, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.
WALKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE SAM MOORE LEGENDARY SOUL MAN THEATRE : 1:53 min.
INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 0:53 sec.
DEVELOP A VOICE: 0:35 sec.
DEVELOP A VOICE: 0:30 sec.
RESILIENCE: 1:39 min.
CRITICAL THINKING: 0:47 sec.
CRITICAL THINKING: 2:01 min.
EMPATHY: 0:55 sec.
COMMUNITY VALUES: 1:25 min.
SERENDIPITY: 0:51 sec.
CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 4:18 min
INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 0:42 sec.
DEVELOP A VOICE: 0:41 sec.
CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 3:52 min.
DEVELOP A VOICE: 0:50 sec.
CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 1:55 min.
COLLABORATION: 1:11 min.
CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 1:28 min
COLLABORATION: 2:50 min.
CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 2:18 min.
CRITICAL THINKING: 1:12 min.
CRITICAL THINKING: 3:25 min
RESILIENCE: 2:22 min
PERSEVERANCE FURTHERS: 1:55 min.
