His travels to neighbouring Trinidad & Tobago, images of the world, and inner conviction of his ability to design and create, challenged his curiosity and intense interest in the craftsmanship of mas’ design and production.

Hence, the birth of André Garvey & Associates.

He has conceptualized, designed and produced some of the most brilliant portrayals on the Spicemas stage, completely and totally — Made in Grenada by André Garvey.

With the members of the AGA family — ever faithful, trusted and loyal masqueraders — his travels, exposure to different cultures, iconic structures and events and world occurrences, he paints a picture of utmost beauty using the streets of St George’s as his giant canvas.

Find him every Carnival Tuesday afternoon, totally exhausted, with a giant smile and inner satisfaction as his vision unfolds.

It is a known fact — AGA is not just Mas’ — it’s a lifetime experience.

However, one can argue that as a result of geography, mas’ band production always was in André’s DNA. His AGA camp and production “factory’’ has been located in a section of the Carenage known as “The Bungalow’’. The place of residence of his great-grandmother, grandmother, father and other family members, it’s there, during carnival and in the off-season as well, that he can be found in daily concentration, creating, designing and putting together costumes that come alive each August at Spicemas.

For generations, the Carenage and The Bungalow have been a hub of cultural activities. Several top steel bands, including Republic Bank Angel Harps, had their genesis on the Carenage. Many mas’ leaders and Band of the Year winners, such as the late “Away’’ Lindsay, were “Wharf Boys’’ like André.

It was from The Bungalow that the late George Coard stencilled and tie-dyed fabulous T-shirts and produced “Big Mas’’ including one of his most famous, “Barbarians’’.

Arthur Coard, George’s brother, was arranger on Angel Harps’ “Brighter Out of Darkness’’ album, the first recording of pan music by a Grenada steel band.

Today, André has established himself as the most creative designer of carnival costumes and images in Grenada and has undoubtedly left his mark in the wider Caribbean. On the one hand, he deserves full credit for his achievement. On the other, he seems to be simply following in the natural footsteps of the cultural and creative giants of the Carenage that preceded him.

And once again, another year and André has taken his craft to a higher level, separating him from the expected and the ordinary and defining what is uniquely AGA Mas’ — a total carnival experience.