His Story

The day is 15 of August 1940, Dr. Bartholomew Thomas Montgomery was out exploring deep within the Amazon Rainforest. One night, an unprecedented storm rolled through wiping out his path and blocking him from the rest of the explorers. He was now lost and many miles away from the nearest abandoned airstrip with even a glimmer of hope of rescuing himself. He was forced to circumnavigate deep within the Amazonian Rainforest on his own and learn how to survive with the tools found in nature. Dr. B.T. Montgomery now knows he must make the most of an abysmal situation, so, why not create and document his way to the abandoned airstrip.

Day after day during his exploration he encountered several wild species and unique fauna living with the rainforest. He learned how to craft pottery by finding a specific clay found deep within a cave, building a furnace from the materials at hand, he was able to create masterpieces that can be found throughout this studio. By finding washed up garbage, along with finding other natural materials in the rainforest, he was able to craft together other tools to use in order to survive. He even manages to find pigments from the surrounding flora and fungi to create paints and dyes in order to further illustrate his endeavor. Dr. B. T. Montgomery spends the rest of his time lost in the rainforest mapping out a way back to civilization. From Rinzler Falls, he runs across a local tribe that was not happy with his presence, forcing him to cross a raging river. Finally setting up camp, he notices a dark forest just ahead and decides to take a further look. He is quickly ran out of the forest by a wild tiger chasing him down. Seeking refuge within the tall grass next to a lagoon he quickly realized he’s not alone… what seems to be floating logs coming towards him… he runs out of the lagoon only to realize those logs are a slew of angry caimans. Finally, Dr. B. T. Montgomery is able to find refuge from the chaos. His next day begins by walking through a peaceful jungle filled with parrots, and passes by a small island in the river home to several beautiful toucans. After several days of travel he decides to rest. Finally, days later, he musters up enough strength to continue his journey.

Stumbling upon suspicious looking boulders, he continues down a winding path, and finds a beautiful temple hidden between vines and dense forest. Abruptly realizing this temple is cursed, rather than be struck with even more bad luck, he leaves. The clouds clear… the placement of the temple gives a perfect vantage point to see the abandoned airstrip in the distance. He can see that in order to get there he must cross the raging river once more. Off in the distance he sees smoke between the river and his only way home. Dr. B. T. Montgomery crosses the river and quietly approaches another village, hoping they don’t drive him away like the others seen before… A twig snaps… He knows he’s been spotted. Rather than his other greeting of rocks and arrows flying past; he here’s a soft voice saying, “please come join us, we have fresh water, and food for your travels”. After a great evening of being welcomed, fed, and a much needed bath, he rests for his last potential night in the rainforest.

Early the next morning he is given supplies from his new found friends, a firm handshake, and he begins his final climb to the abandoned airstrip. He arrives to see this airstrip has been abandoned for some time but is hopeful a plane still sits in the hanger. Knocking off the rusted chain he opens the hanger, his face shining with hope, only to quickly realize the hanger is empty. Nothing but some scrap metal and empty boxes are to be seen in the hanger. His only way of home now squandered by the desolate hanger.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the happy ending everyone was expecting but it wasn’t all bad. He was able to return to the village and was greeted with open arms. He spends the rest of his life helping his fellow villagers learn the English language. He is taught how to survive and even creates medicine to help his village from certain diseases. Upon Dr. B. T. Montgomery’s death, a crate of his personal belongings are sealed away and placed in the river that he was forced to cross many times during his earlier travels.

This crate travels through the river to the open Atlantic Ocean only to be carried by a hurricane through the Caribbean and up onto the shores of Saint Augustine. When opening the crate many artifacts are found; original paintings, pottery, the Dr’s personal journal, his safari hat, and many seeds he used for his apothecary work. 83 years later, this tremendous find brings knowledge of the arts to this studio for the late Dr. B. T. Montgomery to share with his colleagues and guests to enjoy. 

What you see painted before you on the walls are his documentations of the wild encounters he saw on his travels through the rainforest. You’ll see his hat on display that not only saved him from several falling branches, but also a pack of angry local capuchins throwing palm nuts from above. His journal kept locked away from the general public, with more of the forests secrets, can also be found within the studio. What you also see displayed among the shelves and scattered in the store are originals created while Dr. B.T. Montgomery was out on his exploration found within the crate.

Although some of his trinkets are not for sale, he brought them back to display for others to enjoy his discoveries.

Others, like the flora and fauna seen in the hutch before you, are here for your enjoyment to take a piece of Dr. Bartholomew Thomas Montgomery’s findings back home. The store’s curator is here to recreate some of his works of art and pottery so that you might also enjoy these findings not only in your hearts but in your home. 

Today Studio ‘94 stands here ready to help guests create their own masterpiece to last a lifetime, welcome and get ready to create! 

*Please note the above story is fictional, made for fun, to create a story for the space you’re about to enjoy*