sbriggs@thekmgroup.co.uk

A chance to celebrate the national Love Architecture Festival is on offer in a suburban semi in Deal.

The Royal Institute of British Architects is behind the project – and former East Kent Mercury journalist Christine Finn is inviting visitors to her seaside house at 58 Golf Road.

She said: “Over the past few years I have run several celebrations of architecture at my family home and will talk about the transformation of the house and garden into an art space.

“This is thanks to RIBA’s support for the initial Arts Council -funded project LeaveHomeStay and my visitors will be invited to consider details of architecture which are overlooked, while the art works – from visual art and installation, to soundscape and music – bring together Outsider Art, and overlooked artists.”

Visiting children will be encouraged to find hidden art and adults will be invited to make art of their own.

There will also be displays with work made by patients at Valetudo, the art therapy unit at the hospital in St Remy, Provence, where Van Gogh was treated.

Miss Finn added: “I have created an installation inspired by my visit to St Remy and by Van Gogh’s letters. The installation features the artist’s letters that he sent from the hospital, voiced by the actor Michael Maloney, and birdsong recorded in St Remy and Golf Road.”

Photographs by Deal photographer Harold Chapman will be also on display in the house, which can be visited daily from Saturday, June 22, to Sunday, June 30, 11am to 4pm. Admission free.

Mr Maloney will read from Van Gogh’s letters on Saturday, June 22, and Saturday, June 29, both 7pm. Free, with collection for Prostate Cancer UK.

On Saturday, June 29, at 3pm, Miss Finn will lead a Rear Window family workshop inspired by overlooked architecture and a work made for the show.