Historically, artists have been the first catalysts in down times, the first to emerge with their commentary and visions of the world around them. No matter the genre: visual, performing or literary, artists do not fear the repercussion of their work. Today is no different. In fact, today is a sublime time for artists to emerge and help salvage the carnage, of the many skeleton towns, brought on by the ongoing economic state.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind for you when you hear the words ‘Beauty Pageant?’ Do you swoon at the thought of the evening gown competition? Do you remember the infamous blunders of contestants past? Or do you scoff, writing off the whole endeavor to a callous modern culture that makes objects out of women’s bodies?

If you’re like Caroline Pemberton, your reaction is something along those latter lines—when former Miss Australia 2007 was first asked to participate in the state-level beauty pageant in New South Wales, she ‘pooh-poohed’ the idea, thinking it would be ‘all dolled up bimbos who were a bit ditzy parading around in bikinis.’