On Queensland's Southern Downs, locals have become used to going without.



The ongoing drought has seen green paddocks turn brown, farmers destock, and extreme water restrictions imposed on the town of Warwick.



But locals were determined to hold their annual Jumpers and Jazz festival, despite the challenging times.



"No year has been more important than this year as far as trying to lift our spirits," said Warwick Art Gallery director Karina Devine.

Warwick's deciduous trees are dressed up every year for the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival. ( ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders )

"I like to think of the tree jumpers as not just warming the bare trunks, but warming the hearts of the people that create them and the people who join in the fun of the festival."



The festival started 15 years ago as a way to brighten the winter streets, by covering newly planted deciduous trees in the CBD with knitted jumpers.



"Members of our community all become artists for a week," Ms Devine said.



"They might not do art for any other time of the year — but expressing your creativity is so important to your sense of wellbeing and it's really important to provide those types of opportunities for a community that's struggling."

The deciduous trees around Warwick lose their leaves in winter. ( ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders )

Seventy of the 90 tree jumpers were made by Warwick artists and groups.



"It's really given people a focus," Ms Devine said.



The theme of the festival this year is 'connections'.



"People have really taken the theme on board. It's a wonderful thing to live in the country, even when you're in the middle of a drought. And a lot of the jumpers tell that story," Ms Devine said.

Colourful characters can be found all over Warwick. ( ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders )

"There are so many layers to it. Of course there's the economic benefits with people from out of town coming in to spend money. But then there's also the fellowship of people coming together to create the artworks.

When people work on a collaborative project it can be priceless, Ms Devine said.



"People from out of town might say, 'Oh, why live in the country when it's always in drought, and always in a struggle?' but this community is so strong, it's fantastic."

Margaret Armstrong has 'dressed' this tree with jumpers for the past 15 years. ( ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders )

Margaret Armstrong has clothed the same tree for 15 years.



"I've gotten to know its branches and learned to work around it.



"It always gets a bit taller and a bit thicker.

"And it usually takes longer to make the jumper than I thought it would. Every year!



"It gets infectious. You keep thinking of things you'd like to do.



"It's wonderful when people come up and talk about the tree and the artwork, and when they say thank you it really is a good feeling."

More than a hundred artists helped to create the knitted cabin in the art gallery foyer. ( ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders )

Textile artist Helen Gross was inducted into the Tree Jumpers Hall of Fame this year.



"The repetitive nature of knitting, and counting stiches, is really great as a mindfulness activity," she said.



"It's good to be able to have rest from thinking about everything you're worrying about."



Ms Gross works in town and spends most weekends on the family property.



"My father has been on the land his whole life and says it's the worst drought he's ever lived through.



"But Tree Jumper Day changes the whole personality of Warwick. Once the jumpers are up, everybody is happy."