For the last decade Michelle Kamhi has been prominent in her critique of contemporary art education. In her philosophy she positions herself as an essentialist who believes there are essential masterworks that define fine art, and the curriculum in art should teach fine art only. Her definition of fine art focuses on representation in painting and sculpture. She does not consider abstract imagery or photography as fine art. She opposes social justice art education mainly on the grounds that it is essentially Marxist. This article attempts to respond to some of the issues raised by Kamhi and illustrate that art education today, far from destroying the republic, is attempting to strengthen it.