When the Department of Arts and History sent out a call for artists to create murals to “build on the history of the Erma Hayman House and the River Street Neighborhood”, Mungo Ligoya knew immediately he wanted to step up to the task.
The Boise-based artist wanted to honor Black individuals who have made great contributions to the culture and community of Idaho. He created two murals titled “The Writing of Idaho’s Black History”, now on display at the Boise Public Library and Erma Hayman House.
The murals depict influential figures such as Elvina Moulton, one of the first Black residents in Idaho and Erma Hayman, a longtime Boise resident who advocated for her neighborhood, one of the only places Black people could live in the city due to racial discrimination.
The work also portrays individuals who have worked or lived in Idaho more recently, including Dayo Ayodele, executive and producing artistic director of Global Lounge and Jerome Mapp, the first Black Boise city council member.
Ligoya created each portrait digitally in a style he felt best encapsulated the individuals and their work. He then brought each portrait together into two expansive murals that now stand tall above the community.
“As I create, I’m always thinking about the impact that it would have,” he said. “That’s something I keep close to my heart, and I try and make that be something that reminds people of their greatness.”
Ligoya, born and raised in Malawi, was immersed in art and music throughout his childhood. His older sister, who would later become a music lecturer, introduced him to songs and music that moved him at a young age. His father collected art, specifically art by Malawi artists. His mother shared her love for fashion and color with Ligoya, which prompted Ligoya to create fashion sketches.
“All those different art influences really made me appreciate art,” he said.
After moving to Idaho to study Art and Design at the College of Idaho, he became active in the local art and music scenes, met his partner and stayed in the Treasure Valley after graduation. Ligoya spent some time assistant teaching at Riverstone International School, still exploring art and the possibility of creating public art.
“The connecting factor with all of my art is the messaging more than it is the presentation of it,” Ligoya said, explaining how his art varies in style and medium. “I always try to incorporate something that is going to be impactful to the communities that it lives in, especially when it’s public art.”
Ligoya used varying color schemes in each portrait, portraying individuals from past generations in black-and-white, while those still active today are shown in vivid color. The phrase “Idaho’s Black history is still being written”, stretches across the top of the mural at Erma Hayman House.
“I wanted to do a piece that reflects on Idaho’s black history, because Erma Hayman house is all about that,” he said. “It’s about this community they were able to create, despite all of the things that were happening against them at the time. That resilient nature of the Erma Hayman house was a way for me to think about the resilient nature of Black folk in Idaho right now.”
Inspired by many of the Black individuals he had met and worked with in Boise, Ligoya wanted to honor the work they had done to create spaces and opportunities for future generations of Black Idahoans.
“I wanted to write a love letter to them, in a way, because they’ve been doing all of this work for so long,” he said.
Through both his music and art, Ligoya focuses on the idea that every individual has a purpose and the potential to make meaningful change.
“I try to have all my art speak to the fact that out of all the things that were possible, you’re here today, you live in Idaho, and you’re able to have this impact,” he said. “This mural also does that in that way.”
Ligoya said he hopes the people depicted in the murals will feel recognized and seen, energizing them to continue their work.
In the mural at the library, Ligoya added a frame with a question mark inside it. He said it is meant to encourage younger generations to continue the work of those who came before.
“That’s meant to serve as a call to people to think about how they can be of service, and to find a way to pour back into their community and all these demographics differently,” he said.
Ligoya’s murals will be on display until spring 2026 as part of a rotating six-month cycle showcasing the work of different artists.
“As with all public art, we hope the rotating murals can help visually define the character of our city, creating spaces that reflect community values, spark conversation and inspire creativity,” Boise City Department of Arts and History Public Art Project Coordinator Lianna Hamby said.
Following “The Writing of Idaho’s Black History”, alumna Hallie Maxwell will have her work displayed for the next cycle.
Those interested in exploring more of Ligoya’s work can find his art on his Instagram page, @mungodoesart.
