Southern Miss Artist Jennifer Torres Leaves Lasting Mark with Mannoni Performing Arts Center Sculpture
Tue, 03/03/2026 - 10:08am | By: Ivonne Kawas and Morgan Smith
Jennifer Torres
A new permanent sculpture by longtime Southern Miss faculty member Jennifer Torres will be unveiled at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, in the lobby of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center (MPAC) at The University of Southern Mississippi.
The reception will precede the 7 p.m. opening performance of the annual spring Dance Gala Concert and will include brief remarks from Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, followed by remarks from Torres beginning at 6:15 p.m. The sculpture unveiling and reception are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to attend both events in celebration of the exceptional work done by the faculty and students in the School of Performing and Visual Arts.
Boats have long been a powerful symbol in Torres’ work. The installation, consisting of two complementary abstracted boat forms, represents themes of resilience and community. Both pieces are placed in the east and west lobby areas of MPAC, marking a milestone for Torres, who has been a vital part of Southern Miss and the downtown Hattiesburg Arts community for over 26 years. Each piece focuses on her signature exploration of boats, featuring details that convey dynamic movement and layered meaning. Together, the pieces promise to invigorate the space and engage patrons and visitors alike.
Inspired by her personal heritage — her family’s journeys from Puerto Rico and Czechoslovakia — and her own experience building boats, Torres uses the sculptures to symbolize forward motion in university life.
Reflecting on the installation, Torres shared what it means to her and the Southern Miss community.
“I’m excited to leave a legacy with this piece. Like a regatta, the boat forms move in unison, reflecting how students, faculty and the community come together to weather challenges and celebrate successes,” she said. “I’ve poured my heart into creating a work that invites different interpretations, and I encourage viewers to engage with it through their own perspective and state of mind.”
The project originated from a conversation between Torres and Winstead regarding the importance of showcasing faculty artistry on campus while revitalizing interior spaces to create inspiring environments.
“I have long been impressed by Torres’ work, which has been featured in public and private commissions, competitive exhibitions and solo museum shows nationally and internationally,” Winstead said. “As we sought to enhance the physical spaces and the experiences for our patrons at the MPAC, Professor Torres and her work immediately came to mind. We are thrilled that she has created these sculptures for us.”
The design of the sculpture is a careful blend of artistry and use of technology, highlighting Torres’ creativity and craftmanship.
Torres noted that the sculpture was crafted using a plasma CNC machine. Each piece begins as a digital design on a computer, then is imported into a CAD program to generate the G-code, the precise instructions the CNC machine follows to cut every shape and fin of the sculpture. This technology is essential because cutting all the shapes by hand would require an enormous amount of time and effort, including extensive grinding and finishing. The plasma CNC machine streamlines the process while maintaining precision, which is especially important as hand-cutting becomes more challenging with time.
Torres emphasized that mastering plasma cutting has been both a challenging and rewarding process, made possible by access to advanced equipment supported by donors and the College of Arts and Sciences. Their contributions have been essential in acquiring and maintaining the tools that enable ambitious projects like this sculpture to come to life.
With the sculpture now permanently installed in MPAC, Torres reflected on its meaning for the university community.
“I hope it inspires all who pass through for years to come,” Torres said.
For more information about the sculpture unveiling or the spring Dance Gala Concert, email or call 601.266.4994.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units, and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University’s mission, we educate students, lead the state and nation in research and the creative arts, and advance knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Through innovative research and nationally recognized student success, we provide pathways to understanding the past, solving today's challenges, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.