Don't be surprised if you see a T-Rex located off of Randall Road in coming months.

The metal sculpture is one of the 40 art displays recently approved by the Algonquin Village Board to be installed in various locations throughout Algonquin this upcoming fall as a part of the village's public arts program. 

"The primary goal of the Algonquin Public Art Master Plan is to publicly display in very visible and accessible locations works of art created by local, regional, national and international artists," according to a memo to Algonquin's Committee of a Whole. "With this in mind, the primary means to 'build' the public art collection is through the temporary display of artwork loaned to the village from artists ."

The public art displays will be unveiled at an open house reception at village hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, on Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. 

Two of the most visible pieces of artwork will be located just northwest of the Algonquin and Randall roads intersection. The first, a metal T-Rex sculpture created by Don Elder of McHenry, will stand about six feet tall and is 30 inches wide and 11 feet deep, according to the memo.

It is expected to be installed in late October or early November, said Ben Mason, senior planner for Algonquin's community development department. Other artworks are also expected to be installed around November and all displays will remain up through Fall 2013.  

The second is already in place near the Algonquin and Randall intersection and will remain for another year. The metal sculpture titled "wind" was created by artist Ed Iversen. 

Another piece of artwork expected to draw interest is a painting/mixed media display created by Nancy Steinmeyer of Bull Valley and titled "Animal Planet." The display will be located at the Algonquin Public Library at 2600 Harnish Drive.

Here is a list of additional artwork that will be displayed as part of the 2012 art program: 

The Public Arts Program in Algonquin

The public arts program is a part of Algonquin's public art master plan. 

In total, the village received 49 submissions for public displays from 19 artists this year. Village of Algonquin staff and the Public Arts Commission reviewed the applications and selected the 40 for display over the upcoming year. 

"The program is intended to enrich, stimulate, and enhance the aesthetic experience across the village through a celebration of art," Mason said. 

The village of Algonquin Public Arts Commission will host an open house reception at village hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, on Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. to "unveil the new artworks," Mason said. The event is free and open to the public. 

There will also be exhibit brochures available at village hall.