Yard Mas Carnival has tapped Anna-Lisa Guthrie as its creative director for the 2026 season.

The announcement comes ahead of the official band launch set for late November 2025, which promises to reveal a new era of design depth, inclusivity, and artistry for the Yard Mas brand.

A multidisciplinary creative celebrated for her innovative approach to costume design and storytelling through art, Anna-Lisa’s appointment signals Yard Mas’ continued commitment to showcasing authentic Jamaican talent on the global Carnival stage.

Andrew Bellamy, managing director, Yard Mas Carnival, expressed confidence in the band’s choice in the newly minted creative director; “Yard Mas has always pride itself in empowering Jamaicans, especially those who excel within our local creative industry. Anna-Lisa’s rise in the design world has been impressive, consistent and remarkable. I’ve worked with her in the past when she just entered the carnival design space.

“Undoubtedly, Anna’s work has gone viral multiple times both locally and internationally, mainly because of her innovation that connects deeply and resonates with [Jamaican] people and culture, similar to how Yard Mas connects with our masqueraders. We are proud and confident that her creative direction will guide and ‘Wow’ our 2026 theme, and without a doubt, her personal designs will also excite and satisfy masqueraders.”

Already in full creation mode, Anna shared: “Art has always been my language — it’s how I translate emotion, culture, and identity into visual form. What Yard Mas has built in such a short time is nothing short of extraordinary — a community connected by creativity, culture, pride and vibes. I designed for the band for the first time this year, but I’ve worked with the members in various capacities in the past, and I can’t wait for the “yardies” to see what our slate of designers has created for 2026!” 

Dania Beckford, public relations director, Yard Mas Carnival, also endorsed the team’s decision of appointing Anna as vreative director. “Anna brings a rare combination of design depth, talent, and creative clarity to Yard Mas. We all know she can use any material to design, and with her at the helm, guiding our design team with inclusivity and innovation, we’re stepping boldly into a new era of Jamaican-made carnival excellence. 

Dania also revealed that the 2026 theme will be released in short order with a hybrid launch that epitomises Caribbean art and design translated into mas.