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Windell "Wink" Smith, Jr. Oral History
Windell "Wink" Smith, Jr. Oral History

Windell "Wink" Smith, Jr. Oral History

Object number2014.001.0123
Date09/22/2014
ClassificationsOral Histories
Oral history interview subject
Oral history interviewer
ObjectOral history
Credit LineOral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumBorn digital (.m2ts file)
DimensionsDuration: 46 Minutes
Collections
  • All Online Objects
  • Oral History Collection
DescriptionVideotaped oral history interview with Windell "Wink" Smith, Jr. The son of Deaf parents, Smith is a writer, performer and founder of Winkshop, Inc. In 2014, he partnered with The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza to create a full American Sign Language (ASL) translation of the Museum's audio tour. Interview conducted at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on September 22, 2014 by Stephen Fagin. The interview is forty-six minutes long.
Curatorial Commentary

At the time of its creation in 2014, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza was one of the first museums in the United States to offer a full American Sign Language translation of its existing audio guide. The Museum was honored to partner with Wink Smith, Jr. and Winkshop to launch this guide, hosted by award-winning Deaf actress Linda Bove, best known as "Linda the Librarian" on Sesame Street.  

The original Winkshop website about the Museum's ASL guide, with several demo videos and testimonials from the Deaf community, may still be found here: The Sixth Floor Museum — Wink. - Stephen Fagin, Curator

 

Wink Smith Jr's long career in the ASL community is highlighted on his website here: Wink. Resources available on his website include several recorded comedy and improv shows; free previews of his "Winkshop" workshops designed for ASL professionals and students; links to online courses for purchase; information on his DVD, video and writing publications; and a link to his YouTube page. His collaboration with The Sixth Floor Museum, alongside his efforts to share and raise awareness about effective communication within and beyond the ASL community, highlights the need for educational institutions to foster equal learning opportunities for all groups. - Riley Harris, Collections Cataloger