The Church Welcomes Dini von Mueffling And Thomas Brokish

The mission of the Sag Harbor Church (The Church) is to foster creativity on the East End to honor the living history of Sag Harbor as a “maker” village. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the ability of The Church to welcome artists-in-residence into the space, when it does open, the organization will champion new and traditional technologies through collaboration, education and outreach.

Last week, The Church appointed two new staff members — Dini von Mueffling, director, and Tom Brokish, the new facilities director.

Dini von Mueffling is the founder and CEO of Dini von Mueffling Communications (DVMC), an award-winning, public relations firm located in New York City that amplifies the work of people and enterprises in numerous sectors including luxury lifestyle, design, art, books, technology, finance, healthcare, health and wellness, as well as high profile individuals.

Prior to founding DVMC, von Mueffling began her career as a journalist and has written for countless news and lifestyle publications. She is the author of two books and the co-founder of the twenty-eight-year-old nonprofit Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education, the leading provider of HIV/AIDS education to the youth of New York City.

Born in 1960 in Dubuque (Iowa), Brokish received a BFA in sculpture from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and was selected for the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program. In 1980 he moved to New York to pursue a career in sculpture. His career evolved from being mentored by artists to working in their studios. In 1989 he began assisting Eric Fischl, co-founder of The Church, in his studio and with his encouragement developed a career as a furniture maker.

Brokish’s broad range of responsibilities at The Church include the realization and installation of exhibits and events as well as working closely with the artists in resident. He oversees the historic structures of The Church and manages the use of its facilities. Caring for the Church and helping expand its vision is a unique opportunity for him. His enthusiasm for this project is grounded in his professional experience, having spent his career working seamless across artist’s studios, galleries, workshops and building sites.

Bringing four decades of experience as a maker across a range of disciplines, Brokish is excited to welcome the local community to the new space at The Church and engage them in events and programs centered on creativity. He is proud that his work contributes to the continuation to the long and rich history of innovation in the Village of Sag Harbor.