William Walker, co-founder of the Chicago Mural Group, which later became the Chicago Public Art Group, painted Childhood is Without Prejudice in 1977. It was created as a tribute to nearby Harte School (1556 East 56th Street) where Walker’s daughter had been a student. Walker wanted to express his appreciation for the school’s promotion of racial harmony. Said to be the artist’s personal favorite, the piece includes a series of overlapping and interlocking faces that represent the potential unity of all races.
Olivia Gude and Bernard Williams restored Childhood is Without Prejudice in 1993 and Damon Lamar Reed and Bernard Williams restored the piece again in 2018.
