About Us
What We Do
Saffron Arts & Culture is an organization dedicated to supporting our creative community. We are currently awaiting IRS approval of our 501(c)(3) status.
Our mission is to foster artistic expression and creativity by providing accessible art programs, mentorships, and vibrant, innovative experiences for a diverse creative community of youth, emerging, and established artists. We want to create an environment where talent flourishes and voices are heard.
Our mission comes to life through our three primary initiatives. Together, these initiatives build thriving communities where artistic talent is celebrated, diverse voices are uplifted, and creativity becomes a bridge to understanding.
Our Values
We value human connection – because we’re here to share experience and support one another, whether locally or globally
We value community – because it anchors us and links us to people and place
We value design and creativity – because awakening the aesthetic and creative genius that reside in all of us is profoundly inspiring
We value individual experience and inclusion – because each of us has an amazing story, and because we’ve seen that when we have each other’s backs, we can take greater risks and achieve greater rewards
We value the quest for balance – between the frenzy that drives us and the self-care that renews and restores us
We value environmental preservation and stewardship – because this beautiful Earth is worth it
We value the joy that can be found every day – we manifest it in good work and positive relationships, and we seek it in both the conspicuous and subtle realms
Who We Are
We’re accomplished business leaders, designers, visionaries, and humanitarians – a global collective of people with a fresh perspective on creating community and connection - the kind we’ve enjoyed ourselves, because we thrive on sharing the joy!
Executive Leadership
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Elaine Tajima
The Origin Stories Project
Elaine is co-founder and visionary of Saffron Communities. Throughout her life, Elaine has been driven by the power of human connection, leading to her belief that strong relationships are the key to happiness. Her design firm, Tajima Creative, began in her Palo Alto living room and grew to an award-winning business with her intuitive sense to recruit extraordinary talent, matched with clients who valued her big ideas. As the creative force in the company, she enjoyed successes with clients like Levi Strauss, Airbnb, Oakley, and many more.
Other projects, such as The Good Business Network, World of Children, Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School, and Women Beyond Borders focused on her goal to give back to the community, both locally and globally. Her commitment to creating and offering positive holistic experiences continues with Saffron Communities.
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Mark Pinsukanjana
Saffron Arts + Ed
Mark’s career began with Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants as Controller for properties including Grand Café and Hotel Monaco. Later, as CFO for the Berkeley Rep, he managed a finance and capital campaign that secured $30M to build a state-of-the-art theater.
Raised in Palo Alto, Mark drank from the Silicon Valley entrepreneurial waters. In 1999, he co-founded Modernbook with Bryan Yedinak – which expanded into Modernbook Editions, a publishing house, and Themes+Projects gallery at the Minnesota Street Project. Mark brings his financial acumen and expansive business perspective to Saffron Communities.
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John g Martin
Saffron Creative Collection
John g Martin is driven by a relentless passion for innovation. He is renowned for his ability to think outside the box pushing the boundaries of traditional interior design. This pioneering spirit has earned him a reputation as a visionary in the field, challenging conventions and exploring new frontiers in everything he does.
Throughout his journey, John has continuously honed his skills as both a painter and sculptor, with a particular focus on creating organic sculptures that seamlessly integrate with residential interiors. His artistry has graced the homes of numerous clients, adding layers of depth and personality to their living spaces.
At Saffron Communities, John reminds us that beauty is not simply a luxury but woven into the very spirit of who we are, that it has the power to uplift spirits, foster connections, and enrich the human experience.
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Evelyn Rosefield
Operations
Evelyn began her career in retail merchandising and store design where she worked with many prominent retailers such as Nordstrom and Macy’s. Her love and commitment to the environment drew her into the non-profit world, serving as Executive Director of an environmental water association. She has served on the board of Sight and Insight Art Center, now the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts in Mill Valley.
For the last 18 years, Evelyn and her partner have lived on and managed an heritage apple ranch in the Sierra Nevada, bringing the community together to harvest the fruit for donation to local food banks, senior centers and other resources. As an avid student of herbal studies, she has integrated her experience with the plants into daily life by cultivating, harvesting, and preparing remedies and products from the native plants. She has led and participated in spiritual and women’s circles for over 40 years focused on earth centered rituals and ceremonies.
Team
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Kelly Hokyo
Kelly is native to Southern California and began her career in the design industry but shortly after transitioned to the food and wine industry. She partnered with retailers and wholesalers to promote and execute events for consumers and the trade for 25 years.
Saffron Communities provides a space to explore one’s interests and expand one’s world. Kelly enjoys the emphasis on community and loves collaborating on projects and meeting new people.
Kelly now has a great passion for connecting and bringing people together through food, wine, lifestyle and art because of Saffron Communities!
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Kathleen Holliday
Kathleen is a veteran of the museum, film and marketing world. And what she loves is finding new ways to connect like-hearted people.
Her career delivered her to NYC’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Bay Area’s Lucasfilm and Pixar, with various retail stops along the way. She produced museum exhibitions around the world for Lucasfilm and Pixar, and served on the Board for the Docents at the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The arts and music, film, theatre and dance are her life’s joys.
The Holliday family recently moved their headquarters to Petaluma CA, and the Saffron Communities drew her to the events, retreats and the properties Saffron provides. Here Kathleen has found the things that make her heart sing.
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Lorna Jacoby
Lorna Jacoby was born into a family of hotel owners nestled in the tropical rainforests of Nicaragua, where her love of food and kitchens began early. She started cooking seriously in college, realizing that if she relied on her roommates, she’d never eat well. Adventurous and unphased by fear in the kitchen, she can turn just about anything into a meal—just not okra! Today, her Sebastopol garden is the heart of her cooking, inspiring meals that are truly farm-to-table, seasonal, and full of flavor. For Lorna, food is more than sustenance; it’s creativity, connection and joy, rooted in the fresh abundance of Sonoma County.
At Saffron, Lorna puts her writing skills to work in the monthly newsletter. Writing the newsletter makes her happy—she delights in asking thoughtful questions, learning from fascinating people, and sharing their journeys in ways that both inspire her and strengthen the Saffron community. In Curate & Collect she’ll work with John on immersive experiences that deepen our need for self expression and social connection. -
Bill Kane
Bill has lived in our Petaluma community since 1998 and is co-owner of Digital Grange Fine Art Services. He loves being part of our vibrant art scene and is on the board of directors of the Petaluma Art Center.
Bill is known nationally and internationally as a fine artist. His photographs and mixed media works have been extensively exhibited in the US, Europe and Asia. Since 1980 he has been honored with over 20 solo shows and 60 group exhibitions.
He was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship twice, in 1980 for Photography and again in 1991 for Painting. Bill was also awarded grants from the San Francisco Eyes and Ears Foundation twice, in 1979 and again in 1984. And he is included in the Who’s Who in American Art. His work also appeared in both deYoung Open exhibitions at the prestigious San Francisco museum in 2020 and 2023. Bill’s amazing talent and open heart make him a perfect fit for Saffron Communities and beyond.
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Bryan Yedinak
Bryan is the most warm and engaging art afficionado and dynamo you’re likely to meet. In 1999, he co-founded Modernbook with Mark Pinsukanjana, revolutionizing the art and architecture bookshop experience in Palo Alto and Westwood. Modernbook has evolved into Modernbook Editions, a publishing house, and Themes+Projects, a San Francisco gallery. As Director/Curator, he has a keen eye for talent and trends, partnering with artists, art consultants and museum curators to create popular corporate and public exhibits.
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Jacqueline Chu-Montell
Jacqueline is a lifelong learner. With degrees in Psychology and Environmental Studies, she is fascinated by social interaction and connection - and their interplay with the natural world. With a grant from the University of California, she visited regenerative agriculture farms across the state employing the then-emerging Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, culminating in a CSA economic and social viability paper.
Most recently, Jacqueline’s work took place further afield with the United Nations in Africa and the Middle East, supporting the protection of human rights for vulnerable and displaced populations.
Residing back in California, she helps create and manage inspiring experiences and retreats with Saffron Communities.
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Tom Sandonato
Tom is an environmental designer, builder, and artist living and working in California. He is known as a sketchpad connoisseur and a “C’mon kids, let’s put on a show” kind of guy. Tom balances two universes. Known to most as the founder of kitHAUS, manufacturer of modern pre-fab modules that have been featured in the New York Times and Dwell Magazine, he is also an accomplished fine artist who studied painting with Johanna Poussette Dart and McCarther Binion and sculpture with Jay Wholley. He has had three mixed-media shows at Minnesota Street Projects in San Francisco.
Tom draws on his talent in designing innovative environments to realize our clients’ vision for their living spaces.
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Betsy Harden
Betsy has built her career around communication—first as a technical writer and, more recently, working with nonprofits to translate their visions into measurable outcomes. For more than a decade, she has worked to expand access to underserved communities by securing funding for programs in education, housing, and workforce training.
As Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Tuolumne County, Betsy brought together donors, volunteers, and public leaders to quadruple the organization’s annual housing production. She has spent more than 30 years stewarding her forest land in the Sierra Nevada, collaborating with Tribal Elders, ranchers, environmentalists, and U.S. Forest Service staff to maintain a healthy forest. Her work with schools and foundations in San Francisco has shown her that when the urgent needs of at-risk students are clearly expressed, neighbors step up and help.
In every role, Betsy brought diverse voices to the table, helped them discover common ground, and inspired the support needed to make a lasting difference.
Our Partners
We sincerely thank our partners for their generous support. Your commitment drives our mission to inspire creativity and build an inclusive community where every voice and talent shines. We couldn’t do it without you.
