We know what it's like to choose between the life of an artist and the life of a pragmatist. Grains of Salt was founded to demonstrate what’s possible when these seemingly disparate paths converge. We are part consulting group, part design/build firm, part artist collective, and wholly committed to what we do.
Catherine Chao
Founding Partner
Catherine is a maker, a tinkerer, and a visual artist who carries a sketchbook with her wherever her feet take her. A RISD-trained architect, she has worked in New York, Berkeley, Taipei, and Tokyo, and taught design studio and drawing representation at the School of Constructed Environments at Parsons the New School for Design. She studied engineering at Stanford, and holds an MBA and a Masters in Urban Planning from Columbia University. She also worked in Land Use Review at the New York City Department of Transportation and has a particular fondness for GIS.
Eva Gellman
Operations & Social Media Associate
Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Eva is a word and language enthusiast. A recent graduate of Lewis & Clark College with a BA in English and a focus in creative writing, she most recently worked with Portland-based nonprofit poetry publishing house, Tavern Books, assisting with copyediting, social media, and community outreach. She has presented her academic research at multiple conferences including the Northwest Undergraduate Conference on Literature, and her poetry has been published by the Lewis & Clark College Literary Review and by the Academy of American Poets. Always eager to learn, Eva is currently studying Spanish at PCC and figure-drawing at High Low Art Space.
Ken Kinoshita
Partner
An adventure seeker, Ken dove into work at GoS 48hrs after completing a 4,400 mile cross-country cycling trip. Born and raised in Mexico City to Japanese parents, he is a Registered Architect in New York State and a Licensed Construction Superintendent in New York City. He has a Bachelors in Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and has 13 years of experience both as a designer and Construction Project Manager. His most recent projects include the Brant Foundation's New York space, Swiss Institute, and SoHo House’s Ludlow House.
Prentice Onayemi
Founding Partner
Prentice is a performer and social entrepreneur. Trained as an actor, his performing credits range from downtown NYC passion projects to Broadway mainstays and include over 100 audiobooks. Immediately prior to GoS, he led ArtPlace America’s efforts to boost the efficacy of artist-driven community development across the US as its Director of Partnerships and Communications. He also co-founded Asmi International—a nonprofit that trained NGOs to offer creative self-expression and literacy workshops in post-conflict zones, and JACK—a performing arts venue in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a BFA from NYU and an MBA from Columbia University.