Prepare for a ‘trant-alizing’ experience at CCC
Published 9:06 am Thursday, May 1, 2025
Crowds who attended a prior Trantlerfest appeared to have fun. Some were observed in fascinating costumes.
Keri Rosebraugh is a North Coast artist who has moved to Los Angeles. Her outdoor artwork merges Douglas fir wood and cast bronze into a 12-foot-tall unity of a tree and elk antler. Peter Korchnak
Artist Keri Rosebraugh, right, speaks at a prior Trantlerfest event at Clatsop Community College. The unusual art event is designed to foster links between the campus and the community.
Interactive is a good word to describe the Trantlerfest agenda.
Prepare for a trantalizing experience, say the organizers of the second annual Trantlerfest.
The community gathering celebrates Keri Rosebraugh’s “Trantler” sculpture. It will take place May 7 at the Royal Nebeker Art Gallery on the Clatsop Community College campus in Astoria.
The celebration of this year’s Trantlerfest returns after an inaugural edition — whose success surprised even its organizers.
“We had no idea. We knew we could have five people, or we could have 100 people. The whole community turned up,” said Kristin Shauck, art instructor, gallery director and member of the campuswide Arts and Ideas Committee, which comprises faculty from various departments.
“We did decide to keep going every year,” she said.
The “celebration of art, culture, and community spirit” emerged out of the desire to bring students and community together.
The free event, lasting from 6 to 9 p.m. will feature a variety of arts and entertainment. John Goff and Stunning Rayguns will play a live set, Triple Moon Dance troop will do a performance, and DJ Breakfast Face will close out the evening with a dance party.
An interactive art wall and a specially curated pop-up art show by students inspired by the Trantler’s unifying message are planned.
Visitors will have a chance to draw their own pieces at multiple drawing tables. The most “trantastic” outfits will earn prizes in a costume contest. Bandit Cafe, Sleeper Coffee, and Fort George Brewery will donate refreshments.
Rosebraugh was a North Coast artist who has moved to Los Angeles. Her outdoor artwork merges Douglas fir wood and cast bronze into a 12-foot-tall unity of a tree and elk antler.
“The natural texture of the wood symbolizes the sublime in nature while the bronze represents the human’s hand in processing our natural resources,” according to the artist statement.
“Above all, this piece honors unity and diversity in this region. The piece aims to “promote critical thinking towards the connection between preserving our planet and protecting a health economy.”
In 2020, Trantler was originally installed outside the now-defunct Sweet Shop in Gearhart. On its reinstallation in the courtyard of the Royal Nebeker Art Gallery in April 2023, it became an iconic part of the campus.
“The deer come through, “ said Shauck. “And it’s just such a perfect spot for it.”
