Home-Grown Alternatives’ Beginnings
Posted on November 11th, 2008 by HGA Admin
Christine Wellman and Mary Tatem
From Dream to Reality
Most people hardly know that the HGA concept was Mary Tatem’s brain-child and that - having met Christine Wellman on the hotel circuit at the then ‘Sonesta Cottage Industries Fair’, she invited her assistance and jointly they made the dream a reality - not just for one year, but now for twelve consecutive years!
It was only natural, then, that graphic designer/website developer, David Wellman, be brought on board to create the group’s image, website and branding. The HGA shopping bag logo has fast become the trade mark for Bermuda’s premier gift shopping event.
Historically, after artists had sold on the hotel circuit and during Harbour and Heritage Nights, there was no other collective selling opportunity. HGA changed that as artists/craftspeople began to realize the workability of the concept. We are ‘warmed’ by the fact that a large percentage of our vendors are ‘repeats’ who have been with us from the outset.
The first ever Home-Grown Alternatives (HGA) was held in the Admiralty House Ball Room on a blustery rainy November Saturday in 1995. There was a total of 18 vendors. Mary made chili and Christine made soup, other participants secured coffee and tea as well as home-made rolls—all to feed the vendors since there were no lunch facilities nearby.
It is important to note that all subsequent events have been held at St. Paul’s Christian Education Centre in Paget - except for 2000 when HGA participated in the St. George’s Christmas Festival debut.
HGA has always been held indoors in order to facilitate our creating a Christmas ambiance, heightened further by Andrew Chamberlain’s: ‘A Street Full of Christmas’ CD and the live entertainment of talented local musicians. The year 1997 saw the inclusion of performances by ‘Shine’ Hayward, Lord Neck Tie, pianists: Toni Bari, Ron Lightbourn, Vernon Douglas, budding pianist, Meagan Wellman, vocalist, Merlin Morris, and the Saltus Jazz Band. ‘Shine’ has been with us ever since!
We have a remarkable decorating team led by Mary Tatem, which always comes up with new approaches to using every day materials.
This year organizers, Mary Tatem and Christine Wellman, have been blessed with the successful team of: Deirdre Furtado, Terry Chapman, Charmaine and Gerry Friday. Many hands really do make light work!!!
The uniqueness of HGA lies in the fact that it is organized by artists/craftspeople for artists and craftspeople with an interest in the day being a success in terms of trading.
The work is not the ‘window dressing’ for the day. The focus has always been on selling quality products - made by hand in Bermuda and/or embellished here. The Buy Bermuda campaign is great! However, HGA takes that a step further: BUY BERMUDA MADE—”We’ve got it made in Bermuda.”
