The large buffalo that greets guests as they enter Hotel Indigo’s parking deck shows a different side of one of Athens’ most famous residents, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe,

“He’s interested in the iconic nature and the idea of the buffalo,” Mercury Art Works owner Chris Wyrick said of Stipe, who sculpted the buffalo. “I’m glad it’s here because [Stipe] remains very engaged in the art and music community in Athens.”

The bonds between a local art gallery and an international rock star epitomizes the theme of “Terre Verte,” Mercury Art Works’ new exhibit. The exhibit, opening Friday, is Mercury’s first in its new gallery in Hotel Indigo. The gallery achieves three of Hotel Indigo’s goals: development of a more original atmosphere, integration with the vibrant culture of Athens and use of local, renewable resources.

“This project wasn’t just about making money,” said Nikki Boatwright, Hotel Indigo’s sales director. “Again and again [the developers] did the right thing wherever they could.”

“Terre Verte,” which will run through early 2010, features entirely local artists. Its name, French for “true green,” comes from the olive green pigment that is one of the fundamental pigments used by painters. The exhibit’s focus on depictions of nature and landscapes aligns it with Hotel Indigo’s goal of sustainability.

“We wanted it to be a broad enough theme to encompass a lot of different types of work,” Wyrick said.

Among the more eclectic works in the exhibit is Mary Engel’s “Watchdog,” which places recycled watches around a sculpture of a dog.

“They’re just immaculate. They’re gorgeous,” said Katie Graham, a fifth-year student in the Lamar Dodd School of Art who serves as a gallery assistant for Mercury. “It’s a really cool way to take all these things that people collect. and turn it into something really beautiful.”

Friday’s reception will continue the theme of integration with the culture of Athens, with performances by various music and dance acts from the city, who will play in the gallery and lobby of the hotel.

“Since this is the first show in this new environment, we’re going to really go all-out,” Wyrick said. “Since the owners made such a commitment to connecting to the art and music community in Athens, we’re going to make this a multimedia experience.”