Tucked behind Booby’s Sandwich Shop in downtown Carbondale, a once-plain brick wall has transformed into a living canvas — a collision of color, creativity and community expression.

Owner Abe Traverso didn’t set out to create a public art movement. It started with a conversation.

“My friend Bo was talking to me about doing an open art space in the beer garden,” Traverso said. “But I wanted to curate that space myself. Then I thought, why not just give everyone their own wall?”

That wall now stretches along the outside of the restaurant, facing Elm Street and the alley behind Booby’s, saturated in layers of spray paint, brush strokes, tags and hand-drawn messages. From vibrant abstracts to fleeting murals, the art changes daily, sometimes even hourly.

Traverso refers to it as a “live wall,” and that term fits. It breathes. It evolves. And it doesn’t ask for permission.

Unlike many community art projects, there is no approval process or submission form. There are only a few ground rules: nothing political, hateful, or explicit.

“No phobias, and no penises,” he added with a smirk. “Honestly, the first thing anybody draws with a spray can is one of those.”

But beyond that, it is fair game.

“There’s this idea that it’s a graffiti wall, but it’s really just an open wall. You can use any medium — paint, markers, whatever,” Traverso said. “You don’t need my approval. It’s already cleared with the city and police. Anyone can just walk up and create.”

For artists, it is liberating. For passersby, it is a moment of visual surprise. Traverso admits there is beauty in the impermanence, even if it took time to get used to.

“There have been things I really liked out there, stuff I thought was cool,” he said. “And then I’d come back 30 minutes later, and it was gone. Covered. It’s a lesson in letting go.”

He calls it a “practice in impermanence,” urging contributors to appreciate the art while it lasts, snap a picture, smile, and move on.

“Smell the flowers while they’re in bloom,” he added.

The wall has become a downtown attraction, catching the eyes of pedestrians, street photographers, and locals looking for an outlet. Traverso envisions it eventually growing into something more.

“Someone told me about an event they do in St. Louis once a year where the whole wall gets painted over, and artists come out to redo it,” he said. “Maybe someday we’ll do something like that, with live music, vendors, maybe a market in the beer garden. But for now, it’s just doing its thing.”

Even without an official launch or promotion, the wall draws attention. Traverso has seen it used as a backdrop for photo shoots and community art experiments. While Booby’s continues serving up sandwiches inside, the outside wall is feeding something different — an open, visual conversation with the city.

“It wasn’t really about attracting customers,” Traverso said. “I just thought it’d be something cool for downtown and for anyone who wanted to make something, without needing permission.”

Those looking to leave a mark or take in something fresh and unexpected are invited to stop by, pick up a sandwich, and check out the ever-changing outdoor gallery.

Booby’s Sandwich Shop is located at 406 S. Illinois Ave. in Carbondale. They are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The art wall is located behind the building and is free for public use. Artists are welcome to bring their own materials and create, as long as they follow the community rules.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Skyler Foy’s name and to correct Booby’s operating hours.

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