After all, those creations, she says, can be a vehicle for expressing deeply held beliefs.

“We’ve all been at a point where we struggle to find the words for what we are experiencing,” she said. “The same thing is true for our beliefs and faith. At times we might not be able to verbally express how we relate to God or when we feel his love; but a photograph, painting, dance or even a song can communicate these feelings more effectively.”

Having already entered several original geometry-infused works that were featured in a recent exhibit in Philadelphia, Liepins has been teaching her classes about abstract art, and how to create artwork using lines and shapes.

“The lines are created with masking tape on a white canvas; students will create their own patterns, illusions or designs on the canvas board using only tape,” she explained. “Once the line design is complete, we brush acrylic paint onto the canvas with bright, bold colors … When the paint has dried, students peel away the tape to reveal the crisp, white lines intersecting vividly painted backgrounds.”

Incorporated into the lesson is exploring how to create non-representational art, as well as how math and geometry might play a role in the creation of their artwork.

“I draw inspiration from the urban landscape and the geometry that naturally occurs within a city,” Liepins said. “I find inspiration in everyday things – like the way two points meet at a corner, sharp lines, a brick wall, and even barcodes.”

Liepens, who began teaching at St. Ann School this year, graduated from The College of New Jersey, Ewing, with a bachelor of arts in art education, and has a background in teaching art to both children and adults in a museum setting.

All forms of art and expression can be a way of prayer, Liepins said. “Just as there is not a right or wrong way to be creative, there is not just one single way to pray,” she pointed out. “Art is a beautiful way to demonstrate not only your religious feelings, but also any and all emotions you experience in your life.”

Liepens’ sixth-grade students have picked up on her philosophy, including the importance of trying new things and not being fearful of mistakes.

“I learned that it’s OK to mess up,” said a student named Jillian. “She has taught me to get back up on my feet when something doesn’t go exactly the way I want it to go.”

“You can use almost anything to make something beautiful, such as masking tape,” reflected Lily. “She also taught us that even if you mess up, you can make it into something better.”

 The exhibit in which Liepens’ artwork appeared, “Modular Riot,” was on display through January in the James Oliver Gallery in Philadelphia.

 “I plan all my pieces with pen and paper, fitting lines and shapes into patterns that fit a space,” she explained. “I have to know the geometry that will make it work – but my main goal as an artist is to make something beautiful that will start a conversation.”

The tape installation artwork Liepens has been working on focuses heavily on patterns, color and right-angled shapes. For her two-dimensional pieces, she created a series dealing with relationships.

“I wanted to express how each and every person can meet an individual and can have a completely different experience with that person than another individual might have,” she expressed. “Each relationship in this world is unique … these relationship pieces are ‘puzzle pieces,’ and can be rearranged various ways … [which] portrays the different experiences you can have with one person.”

Liepens likes to make her lessons relatable for all her students, instilling the idea that art is everywhere.

“No matter the subject area, my students have an interest outside of my classroom [that] art has influenced,” she noted, saying how she encourages students to “look at art in a new, fresh perspective, knowing its impact on everyday life.”

“Art is used in many ways, and it might even be used in ways you don’t think of,” said Jamison, one of Liepens’ sixth-grade art students. Others readily reflected on what their teacher had taught in class.

Damian learned that “you can use art to learn more about who you are and what you like.”

“You don’t need experience to [create] art,” Matthew noted.

Added sixth-grade student Molly, “You can learn creativity and calmness. Art is limitless and lets you let go, and lets you express how you feel or what you want to do. Art can change your perspective on things and people around you.”

Associate Editor Mary Stadnyk contributed to this article.