Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) alum Franz Seachel has opened the doors to a vibrant new bookstore and community art space in Vancouver.
Enabling Arts is a retail and event space designed to bring together artists, writers and the wider community through accessible programming. Founded and led by Seachel, a multidisciplinary artist who graduated from KPU with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Creative Writing, the space is quickly becoming a cozy hub for creativity, wellness and connection.
“I have a passion for bringing folks together, especially through poetry, workshops and teaching,” says Seachel. “Enabling Arts is really an amalgamation of everything I was already doing: vending, selling my art and pottery, performing and creating community.”
The airy, brick-walled venue features handcrafted art, wellness products, zines and other treasures from vendors across B.C. and Canada. Bookshelves are filled with new and used titles, many with niche and heartfelt themes such as transformative justice, mind care, the natural world and a fan-favourite: cats.
“People ask why we have so many cat-themed items,” laughs Seachel. “My staff and I just love our cats. Between us, we have five. It’s just part of the joy we wanted to infuse into the space.”
Enabling Arts, located at 104-343 Railway St. in Vancouver, is designed to allow visitors to reconnect with themselves and others through artistic exploration. Events range from poetry and acoustic open mics to comedy nights and early morning “coffee raves.”
“There’s an amazing community growing there,” says Dr. Aislinn Hunter, co-chair of the Creative Writing Department at KPU. “Franz has been a community builder, space-maker and activist from early on in her education. To see her graduate and take that energy and care directly into the community in the form of a physical space is inspiring and gives me hope for the generation coming up in literary and creative, community-based vocations.”
Seachel’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. From delays in obtaining a business license to navigating the financial pressures of entrepreneurship, the early stages of Enabling Arts have required resilience and vision.
“It’s a constant balancing act between being accessible to the community and covering our costs,” she explains. “The support we’ve received has been incredible. Even though we’ve only been open three months, the response reminds us we’re building something meaningful.”
The KPU Creative Writing Department offers small class sizes and dedicated mentorship with award-winning instructors. Courses are offered in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting and new media, as well as specific genres such as young adult literature, spoken word and speculative fiction.