Artist Paul Bowen designs '06 Swim for Life t-shirt in Provincetown

19th Annual Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla set for Saturday, September 9th in Provincetown

Internationally-known artist Paul Bowen has created the original design for the 2006 Swim for Life t-shirt, poster and brochure. The striking image shows the silhouette of a swimmer in a red sea, with SWIM 06 scratched onto the bottom of the piece. The t-shirts will be printed on black for a dramatic presentation, and will be available through the Swim for Life or at the AIDS Support Group summer storefront at 173 Commercial Street.

The 19th Annual Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla is set for Saturday, September 9 at the Boatslip Resort in Provincetown.

Bowen was born in Wales and attended the Maryland Institute of Art before arriving in Provincetown in 1977 as a fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center. His wood sculptures and constructions are legendary, from monolithic, outdoor pieces to delicate, wispy wall assemblages. He was a familiar presence on the sand flats and beaches of town gathering his materials until his recent relocation to bucolic Vermont, collecting all things wood - weathered, salt-soaked and sun-bleached - the detritus of boat wrecks, storms and people's broken dreams. An exhibition of Bowen's work will be shown at artSTRAND at the Schoolhouse Center, 494 Commercial Street, Provincetown, from August 11-30.

The Swim for Life benefits the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Outer Cape Health Services, Cape & Island Gay Straight Youth Alliance, Provincetown Rescue Squad and the Lower Cape Ambulance Association. Business sponsors for this year to date include: The Provincetown Banner, Mike's Movies/Boston, Paul Mitchell, The Boatslip, and Far Land Provisions.

The Swim for Life is sponsored in part by the Provincetown Tourism Fund and the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is produced by the Provincetown Community Compact, Inc. Swimmers, kayakers, volunteers and support boats are welcome. Wet suits are loaned free for those who need them.

For pledge forms and volunteer, Pool Swim for the harborly-challenged, or Provincetown Harbor Lights information, or to make a contribution, contact: thecompact@comcast.net, 508 487-1930, www.swim4life.org, or write, Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla, P.O. Box 819, Provincetown, MA 02657.