Look carefully at the art hanging on the walls of Cafe Valentino next month and you may find the next Picasso or Van Gogh.

After the success of its first Young Artists Month last October, the local coffee house known for its Hale Mary—a vanilla chai blended with banana—will again exhibit the work of local artists age 13 or younger.

Cafe Valentino, at 5145 E. Los Angeles Ave., began displaying the work of local artists a number of years ago. When Richard and Vicki Turziano took over in December 2006, they wanted to keep the tradition going.

"We continued it because we like the feeling of community in the coffee house," Vicki Turziano said.

Each month the bistro showcases a new artist's work, which can vary from watercolors to photographs to three-dimensional creations. But last year, inspired by the drawings a regular patron's son, the Turzianos decided to designate the month of October for children's art.

Vicki Turziano said she and her husband wanted to give young aspiring artists a chance to display their work in a public setting.

"Younger kids don't really have a place to display their stuff," she said. "It was a lot of fun last year, and the kids were so cute. They would sit at a table right underneath their art, and they were so proud of their pictures on the wall."

The couple said it's encouraging for the children to hear positive feedback from people other than their parents.

"It kind of gives them a pat on the back," Richard Turziano said.

Because of the large response the cafe has already received from interested artists, each may submit just two pieces of work for display.

Art must be framed and ready to hang, with a label stating the artist's name and age, the name of the piece and the type of media (e.g., oil, water, pencil). Crayon art will not be accepted.

Artists can choose to list prices if they would like to sell their work.

For more information or to sign up, stop by the cafe or call (805) 527-4130. The last day to sign up is Sunday, Sept. 28.

Vicki Turziano said many of the youngsters who show their work show real talent.

"I mean, I can't draw anything," she said. "Some of these kids are pretty amazing."