'Poolside Gossip' Palm Desert's First Lady Of Modernism To Be Celebrated During Modernism Week, 2026

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Modernism Week is slated to run from February 12 to 22, 2025, in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, offering more than 450 unique experiences over 11 days. It will include the renowned Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic architectural homes, guided walks, and vibrant evening events. The programming offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment for architecture and design enthusiasts.

The full event schedule may be previewed on the website and tickets are now available for events at modernismweek.com. All events are open to the public.

One of the most special highlights, according to organizer, is the celebration of longtime resident Nelda Linsk. She is most known for being famously immortalized in the iconic Slim Aarons photograph “Poolside Gossip,” according to a spokesperson for the event. Multiple activities will honor Nelda’s ongoing community-wide influence. Nelda was a special guest in the 33rd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, as the “First Lady of Modernism Week.”

During February's Modernism Week, there will be tours of architectural homes in 15 neighborhoods, offering the exclusive opportunity to step inside iconic homes designed by renowned architects. Tickets are on sale now at modernismweek.com.

Lisa Vossler Smith, CEO of Modernism week, spoke on the events planned.

“Everyone at Modernism Week is absolutely thrilled to honor one of the most beloved residents of Palm Springs,” Vossler Smith said. “Nelda Linsk has been a longtime icon for the community, and we are so excited to bestow upon her the honorary title of ‘First Lady of Modernism Week.’ Nelda has been an integral part of our festival for many years, so we should honor her for all of her contributions.”

Modernism Week’s festivities will begin with a free kickoff event, the rededication of Nelda’s star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars on February 12.

Linsk first received her star in 2018 at a ceremony sponsored by Modernism Week, where the event broke star dedication attendance records. On this anniversary of that event, Modernism Week will rededicate Nelda’s star by adding the title “First Lady of Modernism Week” to the granite tribute, enhancing her already noted Humanitarian designation on the star. This fun event is the first Palm Springs Walk of the Stars rededication ever to take place. A celebratory crowd and an array of special guest speakers will convene at 11 a.m. at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive to honor Nelda with her new title.

Later in the week, a program entitled This is Your Life, Nelda Linsk will take place in the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theater on February 19 at 3 p.m.

"This captivating review of Nelda’s amazing life and career will feature appearances by multiple special guests and pay homage to many aspects of Nelda’s life and contributions to Palm Springs. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime Modernism Week event," according to an event spokesperson.

The festival will also offer a special screening of Poolside Gossip, More Than a Photograph on February 21 at 11 a.m.

This rarely screened interview-style film tells the endearing story of Nelda and her husband Joseph as they hosted society photographer Slim Aarons at their home, the Edgar J. Kaufmann Residence, designed in 1946 by Richard Neutra. Attendees will hear about Nelda’s fascinating life leading up to the iconic photograph, including amusing behind-the-scenes anecdotes Linsk recalls about the day that the highly recognizable and iconic photo was taken in January 1970.

Linsk will recount how she invited some friends and neighbors over for poolside champagne. Slim Aarons, with a stationary tripod-mounted camera, captured the essence of the setting, encompassing architecture, fashion, and interior design.

Aarons often described his work as "shooting attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.” Industrial designer Raymond Loewy, interior designer Steve Chase, actress and singer Lita Baron, as well as ultra glamorous supermodel Helen Dzo Dzo, who later married iconic architect Hugh Kaptur. This very special event includes a Q&A following the screening, and an intimate meet and greet with Nelda.

Recently, Modernism Week board member Gary Johns arranged a gift of Nelda’s personal archives to Palm Springs Life. This memorabilia collection includes thousands of photos, newspaper clippings, and magazines.

The photo collection includes images of Nelda’s parents, her childhood, her teen years, her early career, and her marriage to Joseph Linsk.

The collection also includes many fascinating photos taken at the Kaufmann House, including home tours, fashion shows and parties held at the house, the house decorated for Christmas (including snow-flocked Christmas trees), and intimate pictures of Joe and Nelda with their dogs and close friends, Frank and Barbara Sinatra, Steve Chase, Hal Broderick, and Arthur Elrod. Most notably, the photo archive includes never-before-seen outtakes taken during the Slim Aarons photo shoot that produced the famous “Poolside Gossip” image.

Modernism Week top sponsors include Ferguson Home, Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Monogram, Cotino, DWR, Flor, and Natural Retreats. The City of Palm Springs is the Civic Presenting Sponsor. To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X.