Within the city limits of Beverly Hills lie some of the most influential and powerful people on the west coast. They are tastemakers, culturists and collectors. With them come great advantage and great opportunity, and also a great art collection. David W. Streets, art broker, dealer, appraiser and consultant, helps the City’s most respected refine and amass these collections.

Dealing in paintings, sculptures and photography from contemporary artists through the masters, Streets is a seasoned art dealer of over 25 years experience with an eye that is as sophisticated as it is polished. “The majority of [artists] who I pick go on to be great,” said Streets, candidly.

It is true, his instinct has been proven time and time again – or so his A-list clientele would attest. “I still get excited to have met the people I have met and be friends with them,” said Streets.

Among his clients are some of the City’s, the Nation’s and Hollywood’s most influential players such as former presidents (from Reagan to Bush), senators and governors (including our own Gov. Schwartzenegger), African royalty, publishing icons, economists and even Sylvester Stallone, whom he counts as one of the most impressive collectors.

Streets has not always been a Beverly Hills mover and shaker, however. His start came while in law school studying to be an international ambassador in New Orleans. “But I’m a people person,” Streets said. “And art just fit.” Mentored by Bryant Allen, Streets received his training in the galleries and abroad, as he was sent around the world acquiring and researching potential pieces. Despite a bulk of his clients being Angelenos, or more specifically of Beverly Hills, Streets grew his business happily based in the jazz capital.

It wasn’t until 2005 and the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina, however, did Streets relocate westward. “I would not be here if it wasn’t for a terrible event,” said Streets. “But I have found Beverly Hills very open and very easy to get involved in. This was an easy transition.”

Since, Streets has become folded into the City’s thriving mechanics, sitting on numerous boards and committees such as the Chamber of Commerce and a seat on the Cultural Arts Commission, and even recently receiving a business award of excellence from former Mayor Barry Brucker.

To his clients, Streets consults on the virtues of art as an investment much like stocks or real estate. “Traditionally good fine art, “blue chip” fine art, has been a consistent investment,” he said. He does counsel on doing your research before you buy, looking specifically for art that has won awards and is accredited, with the current trends reverting back to more classical art. Although ultimately, he advises, you must “buy what you can love, what you can afford and what you can live with.”

The issue he sees lately, however, is the flooding of “self created” artists into the market. “It’s almost fraud,” Streets said. “There’s nothing backing it. It’s a public relations scam.” Solid bets for the future, he estimates, are artists such as painter Robert Rauschenberg, sculptor Robert Graham and photographer William Claxton. Another safe bet: Mexican artist Juan Medina, whom Streets discovered himself over 15 years ago. Since, Medina’s work has hung in the Louvre and is collected by Hollywood’s elite.

Although Streets is currently looking to open a new gallery space here in Beverly Hills, at present he can be contacted via his Web site, www.davidstreetsbeverlyhills.com, or by calling 323-951-9259.