NORTHAMPTON — It was a curious sight. Dressed like pop icon David Bowie, who died from liver cancer in January, local radio personality Monte Belmonte sat trapped in the “Days End” sculpture that looms over the Main and King Streets intersection in downtown Northampton Tuesday afternoon.
Sparks flew as James Kitchen, the artist behind the sculpture, welded Belmonte inside the steel structure along with an old stop sign and a random assortment of rusty objects.
The stunt was part of a fundraiser for Florence nonprofit Cancer Connection, which provides integrated therapies and support to people with cancer and their families.
In the 10th event of its kind, Belmonte is camping out on the Old Courthouse lawn until he raises $100,000. He began at 6 a.m. Tuesday and will stay until the goal is met, broadcasting throughout on WRSI 93.9 The River.
It’s this sort of publicity that introduces people to the Cancer Connection’s work, executive director Betsy Neisner said.
“They hear the stories of people who might’ve been afraid to join the club, and walk in our doors,” she said, adding that once people do, they see how welcoming an environment it is, full of “normal people” who have cancer and are continuing with their lives.
Several local musical acts are scheduled to perform Wednesday, starting with The Nields at 9:30 a.m.
Stephanie McFeeters can be reached at smcfeeters@gazettenet.com.