Catherine Weaver, born in 1960, is the self-taught artist and entrepreneur behind Uniquely Original Art Studio in St. Pete (914 24th St S).
Weaver comes from a long line of business owners who significantly shaped St. Petersburg’s Black business community. Her grandfather, Harrison Tunsil, moved to the city from Lake City, Florida, with his wife, Estella Jones, and children to start a business. In 1932, he opened a wood yard where customers could purchase small amounts of wood, with deliveries available for larger orders. In 1947, Harrison and his son, McCortha Tunsil, built a new structure at 915 24th Street South, next to their family home, to house their next venture, H.T. Grocery Store. Harrison operated the store until his passing in 1960.
Honoring the legacy of black-owned businesses in the Sunshine City
McCortha Tunsil, Weaver’s uncle, attended Jordan Elementary and Gibbs High School, two of the few schools open to African Americans at the time. He pursued a radio and television repair correspondence course after serving three years in the U.S. Army during World War II. He eventually opened Tunsil T.V. Repair Shop, which he ran in the same building for over 35 years.
Another family entrepreneur, Arnold Tunsil, started Arnold’s Air Control in 1980 after working for an air conditioning company for eight years. His business thrived, and in 1986, he moved operations into the family-owned building to cut overhead costs.
The birth of Uniquely Original Art Studio
Following the passing of her mother, Dorothy Wilson, and uncle McCortha Tunsil in 2010—just five months apart—the family faced a difficult decision regarding their property. At the time, the heirs, including Weaver, considered selling the land. However, the property, consisting of the house (over 90 years old) and the building (built in 1947), required significant repairs, making it difficult to sell. Weaver, the youngest of the six heirs and the only one who did not yet own a home, recognized an opportunity.
“I was destined to be an entrepreneur … it’s in my bloodline,” she explains. Seeing that St. Petersburg had been named the #1 art destination amongst mid-size cities and that the property was in the newly created Warehouse Arts District, Weaver decided the future benefits outweighed the costs. She purchased the family property, returning her art gallery to its roots.
“By opening Uniquely Original Art Studio in my family-owned building, I’m not only following in my family’s footsteps, but I also teach others to pursue their dreams of business ownership as well,” she says. This commitment extends to her organization, the Empowerment Center for Young Enterprises Inc., which inspires future generations to take charge of their entrepreneurial ambitions.
A creative haven for the community
Uniquely Original Art Studio is a cultural experience at 915 24th Street South. Weaver’s vibrant mixed-media paintings reflect her passion for Afrocentric art, and her studio offers a variety of experiences, including painting and craft parties, drum circles, and participation in local art walks.
Weaver has been a fixture in the local art scene for over 30 years. She was among the artists selected to paint the Black Lives Matter mural before the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum.
A beautiful entrepreneurial hub in St. Pete
Her dedication extends beyond her work; she actively collaborates with local organizations. She led a spin art workshop at Disston Place Apartments, an event organized by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority to showcase the therapeutic benefits of creativity.
By transforming her family’s historic building into an artistic and entrepreneurial hub, Weaver continues to uplift the community while preserving a legacy of Black business ownership in St. Petersburg.
She says, “I’m not just creating art; I’m creating opportunities for others to believe in their own potential.”
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