In this response to Arthur Efland's article, "The Entwined Nature of the Aesthetic: A Discourse of Visual Culture" ("Studies in Art Education," 2004, 45(3), 234-251), the author acknowledges that Efland's attempt to find a middle ground between two rival versions of art education--aesthetic education and visual culture--is both welcome and needed. The remarks in this article are focused on: (1) Efland's discussion of this author's early writings on excellence and aesthetic experience; and (2) Efland's critique of visual culture. (Contains 3 notes.)