Students have been experiencing extreme loneliness, isolation and alienation, brought about (in part) by our current culture, exacerbated by the pandemic and lockdowns, all under the spectre of authoritarianism and unjust social structures. In this context, I sought to navigate designing my ARTS 1 classes around establishing communities of inquiry, drawing from concepts in the pedagogical theories of Paulo Freire and Matthew Lipman, in the hopes of inspiring solidarity among conscienticized, critical, creative and caring individuals. I also draw upon my experiences studying and teaching religion, reflecting on parallels between communitas in religious ritual and classroom communities.