This article reports on the implementation and outcomes of a visual art pilot program undertaken at Connell State School in creative partnership with a research team from Griffith University's School of Education and Professional Studies. Employing a framework of the four lenses developed by Seidel et al. (2009) - (learning, pedagogy, community dynamics and environment), this article investigates the notion of excellence as understood by decision makers associated with the pilot program's design and implementation.