Elaine, Marie and Bernard's oldest daughter practices for her part in the unveiling - the atmospghere music - most based on her own compositions - which will soothe the excited souls looking at their paintings for the first time.

BehindElaine is a section of the displayarea where references on Bernard's books, magazine articles, illustrations are shown. In another area, visitors found the mural, sculpture and monument work of the artist.

Elaine pratique ses morceaux de musique qui donneront à l'exposition un atmosphère de premier goût.

Bernard sets up the internet web site for Patrons to access the process which will allow them to select their artwork choices.

Bernard prépare les donnés qui faciliteront le processus de sélection des toiles par l'internet.

Keeping the set-up crew awake, happy and really, really working is crucial The elixir of the early riser is coffee. The never to be under-estimated caffeine and the sugar content of the accompanying doughnuts sharpens easel alignment skills.

Café, beignes. . . Y'a rien de mieux!

Paintings are on the easels and srround the whole room which has a buffet table laid out. At the back of the room the beverage bar sits waiting. All the artworks are hidden behind the veils which will be removed by

Patrons.This is the time in the show when Patrons see their artwork for the first time since they have paid for it (a whole year plus ago).

Tout est prêt.

Marie welcomes Mr and Mrs Carolyn and Pierre Racicot, the first Patron arrivals -  offering them champagne and a corsage.

Marie accueil les mécènes - offrant une boutonnière et un verre de champagne.

The mock studio is set up next to the tables displaying Bernard's magazine and book cover illustrations as well as his greeting card designs. Across the way are his architectural and furniture design samples along with his article and book writing projects.

Here, daughters Elaine and Valerie accompany Marie and Bob Richer, Bernard's Canadian agent while they listen to Bernard's welcome address.

Bernard souhaite la bienvenue aux mécènes.

After the artist has been introduced by his agent and he has welcomed his Patrons, viewing time (of the newly unveiled work) is given the Patrons and their guests. The selection proces is soon to begin.

Angela Bradley, a Patron, has selected one of the 3 paintings she has purchased: "NehpaOne-on-One".

Mme Bradley was a Patron in the Tuscan, Provençale, Jerusalem and Paris Exhibitions.

Angela Bradley choisi la toile: Jeux de nuit, Sudbury.

Bernard is walking through the hall discussing the selection of one of the international Patrons whose name has been pulled from the hat.

Bernard discute avec un mécène par téléphone.

Carolyn and Mr Pierre Racicot have been Patrons in all of Bernard's Patron Exhibitions.

Here they stand with their Grand Tour selection: "Sawmill Creek".

Carolyn et Pierre Racicot choisissent leur toile préférée : Le pont du moulin à scie.

Cathy and John are friends of Ken Grant a Patron who could not attend this year's exhibition. cathy and John acted as his proxies.

Over the phone they assisted in Mr Grant's selecting of his work(s): "Geraniums - St-Paul de Vence" (shown here) and Back Street, Eze, Provence".

John et Cathy choisissent la toile : Géraniums pour Ken Grant qui participait à la fête par l'internet.

Sometimes exhibition Patrons who are couples cannot both attend a show. Here, Floyd Weiner is pictured with ther artist. While on the phone with his wife who was viewing the exhibition on the internet, Mr Weiner selected  "Somerset Bridge, Bermuda".

Floyd Weiner (avec son épouse au téléphone) choisi la toile: Pont Somerset, Bermudes

Louise Belisle proudly stands with Bernard and Marie after having selected "Banana Leaves and Nasturtium, Bermuda" as her choice piece in the Grand Tour Exhibition.

Mme Belisle was also a Patron of the Tuscan and Venice Exhibition, the Paris show, the Jerusalem exhibit, the Provence exhibit and this Grand Tour.

Louise Belisle a choisie Bananiers et capucines, Bermudes

Luc Belisle is the proud owner of "Spring Thaw, Ottawa".

Luc Belisle choisi "Fonte du printemps, Ottawa".

Lucie Lalonde and her husband Jacques Belisle selected "Fiesole, Tuscany" and "Watercolours". They have also participated as Patrons in the Jerusalem, and Paris exhibits and as avid collectors they have commissioned additional artworks from the artist.

Maître Lucie Lalonde et son époux Jacques Belisle, collectionneurs des oeuvres de Bernard Poulin, choisissent: Fiesole, Toscane et "Aquarelle".

More than 200 people attended the afternoon public viewing of the Grand Tour Exhibiton. Among them were Milton Shaffer, a friend of both Senator Marie Poulin and the artist. Mr Shaffer was celebrating his 91st birthday on the day of the Grand Tour Exhibition. He is a much loved mentor of the artist and a dear friend of Marie and Bernard.

Un grand ami des Poulins est Milton Shaffer un des mentors de l'artiste.

Also in attendance were Serge Boudreau and his wife Suzan. Serge and Bernard have been friends since boarding school - 48 years ago.

Présents furent l'ami de longue date (48 ans) de l'artiste - Serge Boudreau et son épouse Suzan.

Also honouring Bernard were (Standing to the left) another friend of 48 years, Benoît Cazabon and his wife.200 + people came to the exhibit and the day was thoroughly enjoyable.And now. . . The next 40 years begin!

Un autre ami de 48 ans passé, Benoît Cazabon et son épouse (debout à gauche) sont venus fêtés l'artiste.

Et maintenant - de l'avant vers les 40 prochaines années!