Kenneth W. Davis

“There’s a Stranger in our Midst”

At the Gallery on Greene January 17th, 5-8:00, 2026

Kenneth W. Davis grew up in Baton Rouge and earned a Liberal Arts degree with a Photography minor from LSU. After backpacking Europe, he moved to New York to attend Parsons, shifting from Photography to graphic design while freelancing by day and studying with working Manhattan designers at night.

Kenneth’s first major break came when substitute teacher Bill Kobasz of Reliable Design offered him part‑time work after graduation, soon becoming full‑time. Working alongside Kobasz—who handled major clients like Alexander Julian, the International Center of Photography, Lifetime, MTV, Showtime, Sony Music, and The Whitney Museum—gave Kenneth an intimate, hands‑on education in entertainment design. “Bill taught me professionalism, precision, and the importance of putting yourself into the work—often with a sharp, sarcastic humor.” In the pre‑computer era, every layout was built by hand, often late into the night. “Bill remains the most talented designer and photographer I’ve ever known, and I owe him a great deal for the discipline and detail he instilled in me.”

In 1992, Kenneth founded Devious Design, attracting clients such as Greenpeace USA, Atlantic Records, Speedvision, Donna Karan New York, CBS, and ESPN, where he helped shape the original ESPN The Magazine and X Games design. His work led to a two‑year role as Senior Graphic Artist for The Late Show with David Letterman before returning full‑time to Devious for more creatively challenging projects. After continued work with ESPN and branding collaborations for Manhattan restaurants—including two later lost on 9/11—Kenneth left New York in 1999 for the San Francisco Bay Area.

During the Dot‑Com boom, Kenneth moved to Moss Beach near Half Moon Bay, continuing work with ESPN and Speedvision while enjoying life with his dog, Caleb. He later joined Future Publications, contributing to major gaming magazines and websites, helping secure Microsoft’s Xbox Magazine, and earning an AdAge award before the Dot‑Com crash ended the boom. After 9/11 slowed New York work, he began developing High Tides Magazine, building it from scratch with his own photography and securing early support from the Ritz‑Carlton and the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce.

High Tides Magazine became an award‑winning success, but after two years Kenneth stepped away, facing burnout and long‑standing addiction issues. He entered treatment in 2006 and has remained sober since. Early sobriety led him to work with adolescents in recovery, then to graduate studies at Hazelden Betty Ford and later Adler Graduate School, where he combined counseling with Art Therapy. Kenneth went on to serve in dual‑diagnosis treatment, married Mandy Margol, and together they founded Sweet Emotions Counseling in Arkansas, running the practice for 13 years. In 2021 they returned to Key West, where they now enjoy a quieter life with their dog, Shiloh. This exhibition marks Kenneth’s first photography show in 35 years, featuring work created after retirement.