91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网.
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 Torres91吃瓜网� 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 91吃瓜网 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 91吃瓜网� her family91吃瓜网 journeys from Puerto Rico and Czechoslovakia 91吃瓜网� 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.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檓 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,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e 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.91吃瓜网�
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.
91吃瓜网淚 have long been impressed by Torres91吃瓜网� work, which has been featured in public and private commissions, competitive exhibitions and solo museum shows nationally and internationally,91吃瓜网� Winstead said. 91吃瓜网淎s 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.91吃瓜网�
The design of the sculpture is a careful blend of artistry and use of technology, highlighting Torres91吃瓜网� 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.
91吃瓜网淚 hope it inspires all who pass through for years to come,91吃瓜网� Torres said.
For more information about the sculpture unveiling or the spring , email or call 601.266.4994.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences at 91吃瓜网 is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units, and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University91吃瓜网 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.