We all know what’s “knee high by July.” We’ll look at you funny if you say you don’t know what “FFA” stands for. Most of us Iowans can safely navigate a gravel road at a high speed, and we can tell you exactly where every Casey’s and bar is in our small towns.

Basically, Iowa isn’t known for it’s plethora of artistic opportunities.

Cities like New York, Seattle, Chicago and Omaha are known nationally for being art meccas, but don’t give up on finding creative outlets amid the cornstalks and farm equipment. Iowa has not been left out of the loop when it comes to smoke-filled stages and dimly lit audiences — and people like Leonard Bell are trying to prove it with their contributions to Iowa’s up-and-growing art scene.

Within the last year, Bell has put together “Say WHAT!” — a program for artists of all walks. Poets, emcees, musicians and more are welcome to warm Bell’s stage, and he says his program was created to give artistic thinkers a confidence boost when sharing their works.

“I’m trying to give you a sanctuary,” Bell said. “You can go there and feel good about yourself. People say they come here because it’s their get-a-way.”

Bell is an ISU alumnus in liberal studies with a focus in theater and creative writing, but his work with “Say WHAT!” blossomed from an interest in words that began when he was younger and first read the works of Saul Williams.

“He did things with words and speaking about situations that I hadn’t seen before,” Bell said.

From then on, Bell saw poetry and writing as more than just letters on a page. Bell said he saw poetry as an extension of himself.

“I don’t want to look back in 25 years and not have someone be able to tell who I am from my writing,” Bell said.

Bell said he was really prompted to create the outlet after another Des Moines venue closed, and he changed an age-old poetry “slam” into a relaxing way to get things off your chest.

“When we first decided to do this, Crossroads had shut down — leaving nothing,” Bell said. “This is not a slam, there’s no competition. You’re here for yourself.”

The official birth of “Say WHAT!” occurred in February of this last year, with poetry as theo nly medium. Bell said that while poetry is still the central theme, Tuesday nights have expanded to include musical acts, artists and even dancers. Some acts are scheduled beforehand, but all are welcome to sign up for time onstage when they come in. Bell said the doors were opened for a lot of the artists to exhibit more of a cross-section of the arts scene in the area.

“Initially, a lot of these artists don’t have a venue to go to,” Bell said. And this “showcase” takes place in a different setting. The sounds of people playing pool in the background mix with the music that a local DJ spins from his throne onstage. The room still fills with people interested in seeing and hearing poetry.

Hip-hop artist GaiDen Gadema will be performing Tuesday . He said diversity was something that a lot of area venues lacked.

“I think it’s cool because it’s more of a mixed crowd; they want to hear stories,” Gadema said. “And to me, in Des Moines, it’s kind of rare.”

Gadema, like Bell, said he draws from everyday situations to create his masterpieces.

“Just life,” Gadema said. “I know that sounds clich‚, but life is so ambiguous that anything can happen to anybody.”

Another performer, Aeon Grey, has a cynicism about new venues that a lot of performers at “Say WHAT!” seem to share.

“Iowa is not a place that is very friendly to new things,” Grey said. “When they open their doors to a different crowd, they don’t always believe in it.”

Bell believes in it though. Tonight will be more proof for him that Des Moines is more than just the capital of a sleepy state.

“Some think it’s a dead city,” Bell said. “And I can’t even begin to believe that.”