PHOTOS: STEPHEN JAQUIERY & DAVID O’NEILL

From Athol to Omarama the rural community has been seeking to brighten up these days of lockdown by transforming winter feed and waste into works of art. Their muse? Teddy bears.

At top: Two bears stand vigil in Athol.

Centre (from left): A bear in Earnscleugh (made from fruit boxes); another bear stands sentinel in Omarama; another appears on the Milton-Balclutha Highway; and yet another can be found at Clinton.

At bottom: A bear couple overlooks the Milton-Balclutha highway.