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TIMOTHY CALLENDER (March 7, 1946 - October 12, 1989), was an accomplished, Barbadian, writer and an extraordinarily versatile, artist. He was an author, playwright, poet, painter, sculptor, musician school teacher and college professor, who was most well known for his short stories.

Timothy Callender's Short Stories
Like many West Indian authors, Callender's first short stories were published in the Barbados Literary Journal (BIM). and for a time-span of thirty years, his short stories gained popularity throughout Barbados when they were read aloud and aired on local Barbadian radio station CBC.. During the sixties and seventies, his stories were read over the radio by the late Sir Frank Collymore of Barbados, who taught Callender English at the high school or secondary school level of education. In the eighties, his stories were read over the air by Alfred Pragnell who was one of Barbados' most versatile broadcasters, storytellers and actors. The majority of the short stories that Callender wrote were written in the local, Barbadian, dialect. This added a cultural effect to the stories that was enjoyed by many of the Barbadian listeners and readers. These storytellers, being local Barbadians themselves, were able to easily comprehend the language, and communicate it effectively, which brought life to the Barbadian characters and local settings.

It So Happen (1975) 16 stories first published in 1975 by Christian Journals, Belfast, Ireland. Subsequently published by Heinemann 1985. More recent compilations of his short stories may be found in The Caribbean Book of Christmas Stories (1997) and Tales of the Caribbean (2007).

Timothy Callender's Novel
In addition to writing short stories, Timothy Callender was also a novelist. The novel he is most well known for is How Music Came to the Ainchan People (1979) See following 1987 newspaper review done by Linda Dean, Reporter, The Daily Nation (Barbados):

''A number of ideas Callender uses such as slavery, religion, and a quest for knowledge and wisdom bear relation to what we know of our own slave history and development into modern times. But there is never any mention of colour just good and evil and the latter is destroyed by that universal beauty called music.''

''Anyone, who read and enjoyed J.R.R. Tolken’s The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings – two highly complex and imaginative fantasies - should be able to relate to this myth-like story. It is spiritual, very rich in language and emotion.''

Timothy Callender's Other Literary Works
Art Manual by Timothy Callender - The Elements of Art (1977)

The Elements of Art (1977) is an art manual written by Timothy Callender. It was inspired by Callender's desire to respond to the local (Barbadian) art critics at the time, and is an in-depth analysis of the process involved in creating works of art. This discussion highlights the following elements of art: Theme, Composition, Technique.

 Photo-novels by Timothy Callender

The Watchman - A photo-novel first published in Barbados by author; later published by Heinemann Educational Books (1984).

Schoolboys - A photo-novel set in Barbados, published by Heinemann Educational Books (1984).



 Coloring Book by Timothy Callender

The Village Colouring Book - This coloring book for children, illustrated and written by Timothy Callender, contains cultural images that are a reflection of the Caribbean / Barbadian lifestyle. The coloring book, in addition to providing images for coloring, provides information and education on color-mixing as well as Barbadian traditions and culture. The tone and language of the book are simplified so as to be easily understood by children.

Timothy Callender's Paintings

Timothy Callender is well known throughout Barbados for the diverse and professional paintings he created throughout his life. After studying Art at the University of London, Callender began painting professionally. When he returned to Barbados, he held annual art exhibitions which helped to expose and popularize his paintings. Today Timothy Callender's paintings are valuable collector’s-items for the art-lovers of Barbados.

Life
Timothy Callender was born in Barbados, on March 7, 1943. His father was a reporter at the Barbados House of Assembly and his mother was a housewife. He had 3 older sisters and 1 younger brother.

Education

Callender completed his high school level of education at Combermere School. Here, he was taught the subject of Art by renowned, Barbadian artist, the late Karl Broodhagen. He was taught English by the honorable Sir Frank Collymore. He enjoyed writing short stories and while attending Combermere, many of his stories were published in the local newspapers of Barbados.

Callender went to college in Jamaica where he attended the University of the West Indies (UWI). He graduated with special honors in English and later married his wife Lorna Callender, who attended the university with him and who was from the island of St. Kitts. After graduation, Callender continued attending UWI to study for his Master's in English Literature. However, in 1971, before completing his degree, Callender moved to St. Kitts with his wife and took a three year teaching post at the St. Kitts Technical College where taught English and General Studies.

In 1974 Callender returned with his wife to Barbados where he taught English and English Literature at his old high school Combermere. He also taught Use of English part-time at UWI (Cavehill campus). In 1977 after the birth of his son, Okolo, Callender left teaching and delved fully into his career as a prolific artist where he wrote short stories, his novel, painted, and did other such works. His daughter and second child, Nayo Callender, was born in July of 1981. Timothy Callender had no more children after these.

In 1981, Callender was granted a Commonwealth Scholarship Award which enabled him to study for a Master's of Art degree at the University of London Institute of Education. He traveled with his family to England where he studied and practiced several art forms, including painting, photography and sculpture. He returned to Barbados in 1983, where he taught Use of English and Proficiency in English at the University of the West Indies (Cavehill campus). Callender also taught English at the St. George Secondary School. In his later years, he taught Use of English for journalists, Creative Writing and Drama at the Barbados Community College.

Awards and Recognition

Timothy Callender won awards for his short stories, playwriting, poetry, and paintings at the annual National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) in Barbados. Several of his stories, plays, poems and essays have been published in anthologies, newspapers and magazines. He was also often interviews by local reporters on various subjects such as his books and his paintings.

Music

Callender also had a passion for music. He studied and taught the guitar, and was the author of many songs and poems. He also practiced music on the drum and the flute.



Timothy Callender's Pastimes

Timothy Callender's pastimes include playing the guitar, photography, and sculpture. As an academic, Callender also read constantly. He was an avid researcher of many diverse topics and educated himself thoroughly on World History. Timothy Callender also studied the art form of Yoga.

Timothy Callender as a Barbadian Figurehead

Timothy Callender made a significant impact on the history and cultural of Barbados. He believed and promoted the philosophy of embracing and celebrating one's culture and heritage. His short stories, West Indian-based and written in Barbadian dialect, were a demonstration of his cultural pride. He worked with like-minded Barbadians who were also a part of the movement to promote cultural awareness and cultural pride.

Death

Unfortunately, Callender died in 1989 at the age of 43 before he had fulfilled his desire to express himself fully as a sculptor. He left many unpublished works that are only now finding their way into print. He always generously shared his knowledge and hopefully his works will give creative insight for generations to come.