Who Is Corne? (Or Cornè?)
Our mascot. Our bison. Our beloved Corne.
- If you've spent any time around the Art Society, you've probably heard the name. You might have seen a drawing. You might have spotted a tall, bipedal white bison at an event. You might have asked "why a bison?" and received no straight answer.
- That's Corne.
The Name: Corne vs. Cornè
His original name is Cornè (with an accent on the "e").
But, typing accents can be annoying and/or tricky. Most people just write Corne, and that's fine. Corne doesn't mind. Cornè doesn't mind either.
Use whichever works for you:
Both are acceptable. Both refer to the same bipedal white bison. No one will correct you.
Cornè - The original, formal, accent-included version
Corne - The everyday, no-accent, still-correct version
A Note on Spelling
On the website, on social media, on posters, you'll see both Corne and Cornè. Either is fine.
Consistency tip: If you're adding an accent, add it everywhere (Cornè). If you're skipping it, skip it everywhere (Corne). Mixing them in the same sentence looks weird.
But no one will actually care. Cornè certainly doesn't.
The Legend
Corne (or Cornè) is the official mascot of the University of Lethbridge Art Society. He is a bipedal white bison who looks a bit like an Ikeafied cow (but make no mistake, he is a bison). He was designed in 2024 by Gesiah leyva, a former exec (2024-2026), to serve as the Art Society's mascot.
He was introduced to the club and membership during Corne Quest (2026), a Fine Arts-wide scavenger hunt that sent students exploring every art spaces on campus using decoder passports, ciphers, and hidden boxes. The event was a hit and thus he stuck around.
Now he lives in the Art Society office, waiting for the next adventure.
A Living Legend
Cornè is not frozen in time. New execs are encouraged to add to the legend of Cornè, while respecting old additions and the core rules.
Draw Cornè in your own style for posters and social media.
Write new lore (keep it weird, keep it friendly).
Create new adventures (Corne Quest 2? Cornè goes to the niche Gallery?).
Pass down what you add so future teams can build on it.
The only limits: Respect what came before. Don't contradict established canon unless it's funny. Keep Cornè recognizable to his simple original design (bipedal white bison, Ikeafied).
What he represents
Playfulness - Art doesn't have to be serious all the time
Community - Inside jokes and shared adventures bring people together
Exploration - Corne Quest was about discovering art spaces. Cornè still is.
Bison - Obviously. We're in Lethbridge.
Growth - The legend changes with each exec team. That's the point.
Flexibility - Accent or no accent, he's still Cornè.
Cornè is the weird, wonderful, unexplainable heart of the Art Society. Embrace it.
Physical versions
We have 3 physical Cornès, both made by Gesiah and donated to the Art Society.
Big Corne (The Standee)
Height: 71 inches (yes, he's tall).
A bipedal white bison standee.
Great for photos, tabling events, and looming gently.
Lives in the Art Society office.
Little Corne (The Plushie)
A small Cornè plushie.
Also good for photos.
Emotional support bison.
Travels to events, meetings, and anywhere morale is needed.
Both Cornès are available for exec use. Treat them with respect. Do not lose them.
worker Corne (niche under construction sign)
Small standee of Corne wearing a hi-vis vest + hard hat + glasses, with an "UNDER CONSTRUCTION" sign.
Place in niche Gallery when:
Gallery is empty between shows
Artist requires a multi-day installation (break before finishing)
The exhibit is intentionally changing as part of the artist's vision.
Past exhibits (archive)
Apply to Niche
Do NOT place if:
Comes with a second sign holding two QR codes:
if the worker corne ever breaks, a printable version can be found here: Access with Art society gmail Corne assets.
Where is Corne?
The physical Corne's live in the Art Society office. Not sure where the office is? Ask an outgoing exec or one of the art technicians (Mary-Anne or Trent). They'll be happy to show you.
Cornè has also been known to appear:
On social media posts (using Gesiah's original graphics or your own Cornè art).
At events (Big Cornè for tabling, Little Cornè for emotional support).
On stickers, buttons, and other merch (commissioned from U of L artists).
In the niche Gallery (very rarely, or on the "under construction" sign).
Can I draw Corne?
Yes! Absolutely.
New execs are encouraged to design Cornè in their own style to use in posters, social media, and event materials. The only rule: keep him recognizable to his simple original design, a bipedal white bison with Ikeafied cow vibes (the design is simple on purpose so everyone can draw him).
Guidelines:
Bipedal (stands on two legs).
White (or mostly white).
Wears a Baret (usually black).
Bison-shaped (not a cow, not a person in a costume).
Friendly vibes.
Recognizable as Cornè (look at Gesiah's original assets for reference)
What you can do:
Draw him in different poses (painting, holding signs, tabling, sleeping).
Add accessories (scarves? hats? tiny glasses? sure).
Create seasonal Cornè (winter scarf Cornè, summer sunglasses Cornè).
Develop new lore (keep it weird, keep it friendly).
What you cannot do:
Change his fundamental design (he's a bipedal white bison)
Use AI to generate or alter Cornè assets (see Asset Rules below)
Claim you created the original design (credit Gesiah for that)
Credit: Gesiah holds the intellectual rights as the original designer.
Corne and the Art society Constitution
Corne is not mentioned in the Art Society Constitution:
- This is intentional. Corne exists outside the rules, in the margins, in the space between official business and actual joy.
That said, Corne still follows the Code of Conduct:
- Corne is inclusive, respectful, and welcoming to all.
Corne Asset Rules
Gesiah, the original designer, created a library of Cornè graphics for the Art Society to use. These assets are available in the shared Art Society Google Drive.
What's available:
Corne standing poses.
Corne doing art things (holding a paintbrush, etc.)
Corne emotes / expressions.
Corne-themed event graphics.
Print outs (Decoder passport from Corne Quest, Under construction Sign)
Corne Assets | Only Art society account has access.
Asset Usage Rules (Important!):
Gesiah holds the intellectual rights as the original designer.
Do not use or alter their assets using AI or similar tools.
Do not claim you created the assets.
For official Art Society use, credit the designer on apparel (merch, stickers, etc).
If you create new Cornè derivatives (drawings, merch, etc.), please acknowledge Gesiah as the original designer.
For more rules on asset usage click here.
Making your own Cornè assets:
Go for it! Draw Cornè in your style.
Keep him recognizable (bipedal white bison, simple design).
Add your assets to the shared drive for future execs.
Add your name! Credit yourself as the illustrator.
Add any rules you would like future execs to follow when using your assets.
Passing Down Corne (End of Year)
When your exec term ends, you must pass Corne to the next team.
How to do it:
Include a "Corne section" in your transition document.
Explain the philosophy (link/show this page)
Hand over the physical Cornes.
Remind them: "Gesiah holds the rights. Don't use AI on the assets. Be cool."
Tell them: "Corne is yours now. Add your own chapter. Don't ruin it."
Optional but recommended: Tell them about the accent situation (both spellings are fine, don't stress)
Take Corne with you when you graduate.
Let Corne be forgotten.
Over-explain the mystery.
Discourage new execs from adding their own interpretations.
Do not:
Role links
Curious about what the other exec roles are about?