GDC Presents Offender Artwork to City of Forsyth

Commissioner: Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Partnering with GDC on Vibrant Community Art grant

FORSYTH, Ga. -- On November 15, members from Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Burruss Correctional Training Center (CTC) presented the city of Forsyth and the Forsyth Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVBA) with a metal model train to kick-off the city’s joint public art and Vibrant Community Art grant project. The metal train artwork, created by an offender from the Burruss CTC, was presented by Warden James Payne to Forsyth Mayor Eric Wilson.

“We are excited to have our offenders use their creative gifts to make the city of Forsyth an attraction to visitors and a community treasure for residents,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “Having offenders participate in creating art for a good cause also has many benefits in their healing and rehabilitation.”

The public arts partnership is all in an effort to utilize the talents of offenders in mural art and welding along with local artists to create murals and metal sculptures that highlight Forsyth’s history and community. The artwork created by offenders within the welding program at Burruss CTC will be displayed in the downtown area in Forsyth.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5248 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.