Men on the Scene : Austin Helmuth & Brandon Stone

A lot of people dream of turning an engrossing avocation into a successful business, but Austin Helmuth and Brandon Stone have made that a reality. The two proprietors of Helmuth Stone Gallery turned a love for art and antiques into a thriving auction house. They also have a fine art gallery space on Sarasota’s Main Street and host live and online auctions, which attract buyers from more than 50 countries. In addition to fine art ranging from 17th Century Old Masters to contemporary works, Helmuth Stone Gallery also specializes in bronzes, sculptures, Chinese objects and porcelains, and estate jewelry.Helmuth and Stone grew up in Sarasota and have known each other since kindergarten. While attending the University of Central Florida, their professional interests converged. “In college, I worked for an antiques dealer as a summer job,” Helmuth says. “I’ve always enjoyed history and am interested in learning the background of paintings and sculpture.” Stone also began working antiques shows in college, which meant meeting people from all over the world and gaining an understanding of where specific items are marketed best internationally. He is in the process of obtaining a highly regarded Gemological Institute of America certificate.In addition to consigning high-end art and antiques locally from estates, the two men travel both the country and internationally searching for distinctive pieces. Just last year they brought a collection back from Italy. They have been recognized in industry publications such as Antiquesand The Arts Weekly and Antiques Trade Gazette. “We enjoy being in Sarasota to assist our clients in finding the best avenue to sell their collections,” Stone said. “We are passionate about what we do and enjoy coming to work every day.”