Scottsdale Community College unveiled a tough new artichoke mascot Saturday during the Parada del Sol.
Artie the Artichoke now has bulging muscles, spiked cleats and fierce eyes. Six SCC students in the Imagemakers theater group carried a cardboard cutout of Artie along the parade route to give spectators their first glimpse of the winning design in a citywide contest.
“He got a little tired, but the students were able to carry him along,” SCC spokeswoman Chris Chesrown said.
Artie has had several makeovers since students adopted the mascot in 1972, but Chesrown said this was the first time the process was opened to the entire community.
SCC commissioned cartoonist Brian Fairrington to sketch three artichoke designs representing toughness, school spirit and academics. Community members were then able to vote on their favorite design.
Chesrown said the parade was a perfect place to unveil Artie’s new look.
“It could be said that it’s traditional for students to be marching with Artie,” she said, “for the mascot was born out of a student protest following a philosophical difference with administration.”
