This past August, Yale alumnus Leo Villareal’s “Celestial Garden” exhibit was opened to the public in the Schwarzman Center on campus. The featured artwork uses sound and light projectors to create a soothing, intricate scene on the ceiling of the center’s iconic dome. The exhibition offers a tranquil escape during the chaos of a new semester. 

As the school year begins, Yale students need a calm place to unwind – Villareal’s exhibition offers exactly that. 

Villareal was born and raised along the southern border and has carried his passion for science and art since his early days there. From traveling to Palo Alto for an art- and science-focused internship as a college student to decorating architecture across the globe with thousands of intricately placed LED light bulbs as an adult, Villareal has always believed that the impact made by art, science, and technology has more of an effect on visitors. 

That passion is now reflected in the Celestial Garden, where Villareal’s vision is brought to life; through art and technology, he transformed the Schwarzman Center into a calming, welcoming and conveniently accessible setting in a loud and busy environment. 

“It’s about having something that is welcoming that we can all gather around,” Villareal told the Figge Art Museum in a presentation last September.

His exhibit on Yale’s campus features ten projectors hung along the ceiling of the dome that light the large, almost empty space. The dome of the Schwarzman Center is illuminated with ever-changing shapes and figures that represent nature’s constantly evolving and ever-shifting patterns, yet another aspect of the art that adds to its relaxing nature. 

Visitors may lie on the floor or relax on chairs to watch the art as the shapes and colors move and change. The comfortable seating and soothing ambient tones contribute to the idea of a serene setting.

This sense of peacefulness is no accident. While creating the exhibit, Villareal kept in mind the importance of having a relaxing scene on campus, and how in some way he wanted this as a feature in his exhibition. As the new semester begins, the Garden offers students, faculty and visitors a much-needed outlet – it is the perfect environment for them to forget about the chaos going on outside. 

“I was in a meditative state,” one exhibition visitor told the News. Multiple other visitors noted the fact that they would “certainly recommend” the soothing sanctuary. 

Leo Villareal’s exhibition at the Schwarzman Center offers students, faculty and campus visitors alike a tranquil environment to unwind. The exhibit is only on campus for a short 10 weeks and will be closing this October. For now, the Celestial Garden remains a brief but brilliant escape for all on campus. 

The Celestial Garden exhibit is located at 168 Grove St. 

This article was written for the Yale Daily News’ 2025 Summer Journalism Program for high school students.