“A Visual Vocabulary” was a series of 10 unique banners that focused on the architectural heritage of the Adams Avenue commercial district, located in the Normal Heights and Kensington neighborhoods of San Diego, California. They were originally hung along Adams Avenue in 1998 through 1999 as part of the Adams Avenue Business Association's public art initiative entitled “Adams Avenue: A Work in Progress.” Eleven artists or artists groups were commissioned for the project, producing 110 separate and unique banners.

Each of the ten banners of “A Visual Vocabulary” highlighted an architectural feature found on the buildings along the Avenue. These features were stylized into planes of color and bold geometric forms. The word or words that describe the elements were included as a lesson in architectural vocabulary. Finally, a map of the district was overlaid on sections of the banners, forming a common pattern, which tied all the works together.

Districts like those along Adams Avenue are rich with architectural treasures that often go unnoticed as pedestrians and automobiles move quickly past them. By refocusing attention on these elements, viewers were encouraged to begin noticing their environment and the unique features within it. They could "play the game" of searching out the places which inspired individual banners, and begin to incorporate a vocabulary for the architectural elements in their community. The viewer might then connect to the built environment and become invested in mid-city efforts to protect, preserve and enhance their architectural heritage.

The Adams Avenue Business Association was forward thinking not only in creating a banner district for the commercial area, but by commissioning artists to design distinctly unique banners for an outdoor “gallery.” It allowed the general public to see works of art where they lived, shopped, and played. More importantly, it signaled the ongoing transformation of the community as extensive revitalization efforts in this older area of the city took shape.

In 2005 the banners were reprinted for an exhibition entitled "Architects and Artists: Transforming the Environment," at Southwestern College.

Click on the "blade" sign to see a slideshow of banners.