Freelance Writer/Photographer:
1988-present- First article in Mason Street Oracle, began freelance writing and photography for Fort Collins Coloradoan, OnStage, Business World, Locally Owned Retailer, Rocky Mountain Bullhorn, Triangle Review, Changing Woman, Spectrum Magazine, The Front Magazine, Scene Magazine, Poudre Magazine, Northern Colorado Business Report, Rocky Mountain Spirit, Travel Host, more. 1998-present- “Recommended” column in Fort Collins Forum (circulation 52,000)
Editor/Publisher:
1980- Editor, Everybody Eats (Fort Collins Food Co-op), first editor to sell advertising. 1983-1984- Self-published 2000 copies of “Rock Music Record Primer” and children’s coloring book “Joe’s Salad” by selling advertising for covers. 1990- Co-founded, co-published and edited The Scene. 1992- Co-founded, co-published and edited Beat News and Music. 1994- Compiled and produced CD compilation of Fort Collins music, “New Music from the West”. 2004-2005- Proofreader and Editor, Scene Magazine.
Radio:
1989- Wrote and delivered live “Concert Notes” on KTCL. 1993-1995- Wrote and produced “Concert Calendar” on KCSU. 2000- Wrote and delivered live entertainment notes on KCOL (for Fort Collins Forum).
Webmaster:
2004-present- Live music web site, www.kingkoncert.com (more than 250,000 visitors), featuring original reviews and photographs. Also www.tvsandtwofingers.com and www.timvanschmidt.com. 2007- Established and edited web site for Fort Collins Forum, www.fortcollinsforumonline.com. Since February 2008, blog on www.myspace.com.
Poet/Performer:
1976- First poems published, work appearing since in small press publications throughout the country. 1993, 1996- Wrote, produced and released two albums of original songs and music. 1996-present- Formed TVS and two fingers, have since produced and released five albums of original recordings. The group’s live act, presenting “performance poetry and sound art,” has been popular in regional elementary, middle and high schools and colleges (Wyoming, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts), performing also in theaters, book stores, night clubs and festivals. Along with performances, the group also administers interactive workshops with all-age participants. As a solo performer, visited and administered workshops in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.
Craftsman:
1969- Family business established, marketed handcrafted items in paper Mache and ceramic at swap meets in Arizona and California. 1980- Established Tim’s Ceramics in Fort Collins, marketed handcrafted items in ceramic at flea markets, craft shows and regional retail outlets. 1982- Established Skycrest Ceramics with wife Jonie, marketed handcrafted items in ceramic scaled to one inch to one foot (standard dollhouse miniature scale) at national trade shows and through mail order and international retail outlets. 1997-present- Established Tim Van Schmidt, Craftsman, continue to market handcrafted items in ceramic (dollhouse scale) at regional trade shows, through mail order and the Internet.
Internet Marketing:
2004-present- Member of eBay (100% positive feedback rating), marketing handcrafted miniatures, comic books, baseball cards and general literature and collector’s books 2006- Use of Craig’s List 2008- Member of CDHM.com (dollhouse miniatures site), Ads by Google
Promoter/Director:
1993-2004- Co-founder, director and publicity director, Northern Colorado MusicFest, a multi-day, multi-venue festival event to benefit public radio (KCSU, PRFR, KRFC). Duties included booking artists, writing guide material, managing volunteers, administrating meetings, planning, giving interviews, troubleshooting on site problems, accounting and payments.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree (with honors) in English from University of California at Santa Barbara, 1978. Program included a diversity of classes in philosophy, ethics, mythology, history and world religions, as well as literature in translation courses in German, Russian, Spanish and Italian literature. Since then, have attended supplement classes at Colorado State University and Front Range Community College in music, poetry, marketing and computer.
Related Activities:
Youth soccer coach (8 seasons with girls’ teams through 12th grade, Fort Collins Soccer Club) School classroom volunteer, speaker, administrative committee member (Poudre School District).
Personal Information:
Born June 8, 1956 in Harvard, Illinois. Lived in Illinois, Arizona, California and Washington. Married August 16, 1980 to Joanne Fidek (of West Long Branch, New Jersey). Settled in Fort Collins, Colorado, September 1980. Daughter, Kaitlin, born on December 18, 1983.