Todd Davis Photography

10/03/2026

Morning walk for coffee.

09/29/2026

Take a closer look at art and photography!

This beautiful photograph is part of the Raymond B. Howk's exhibit in the South Hall Study Gallery. "Illuminating Happenstances and Seeing the Unseen

Raymond B. Howk (1958–2014) studied photography at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he studied under David Gilmore and Charles Swedlund. He went on to work as a photographic assistant and photographer in St. Louis and Chicago before opening his own studio in St. Louis.

Although well known in the St. Louis advertising community, Ray rarely shared his personal photography publicly. His work explored portraits, figure studies, experimental camera work, and urban and street scenes. He was particularly interested in infrared and high-speed recording film, creating photographs with an experimental and distinctive quality.

His work offers a fascinating glimpse into the way he saw and interpreted the world through photography.

Stop by the South Hall Study Gallery and take a close-up look at Ray’s art and photography. Take your time, look closely, and see what you discover.

📸 Photo shown: Credit to Emma Watychowicz, Art Education student\
🎨 Exhibit: Raymond B. Howk — South Hall Study Gallery

09/09/2026

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✨ Upcoming Exhibition Reception ✨

We invite you to join us this Saturday, September 12, from 1–4 PM in the South Hall of the Museum Study Gallery for a special reception celebrating the exhibition Illuminating Happenstances and Seeing the Unseen, featuring the work of Raymond B. Howk.

Raymond B. Howk (1958–2014) was a photographer whose career was well known within the advertising community in St. Louis, Missouri, yet he rarely shared his personal photographic work publicly. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience a body of work that was largely seen only by Ray’s close friends during his lifetime.

Howk graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1980, where he studied under David Gilmore and Charles Swedlund. Following graduation, he worked as a photographic assistant and photographer in studios in St. Louis and Chicago before opening his own studio in St. Louis.

His personal work explored a wide range of subjects, including portraits, figure studies, experimental camera work, and urban and street scenes. He frequently worked with infrared and high-speed recording film. At the time of his sudden death in November 2014, Ray left behind multiple rolls and sheets of exposed large-format film that had never been developed.

Join us at 1 PM for a talk with Kelly Fisher-Bishop, followed by the reception from 2–4 PM. Come hear more about Ray’s life and work and experience these photographs in the gallery.

📅 Saturday, September 12
⏰ Talk: 1 PM | Reception: 2–4 PM
📍 South Hall, Museum Study Gallery

We hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of photography, stories, and the opportunity to see work that remained largely unseen for many years.

08/26/2026

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The photographic work of an SIU Carbondale alumnus who turned activities on city streets into his own playground will be highlighted in an exhibition starting next month at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Sharp Museum.

08/26/2026

The photographic work of an SIU Carbondale alumnus who turned activities on city streets into his own playground will be highlighted in an exhibition starting next month at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Sharp Museum.

04/05/2026

01/25/2026

From the archives of Ray Howk. Late 90's, St Louis.

01/12/2026

Cathedrals of the forest.

01/01/2026

From the archives of Ray Howk. Soho.