Colorful Coastal Village at Twilight, 2011

Etab Hreib, born in 1954 in Deir Ezzor, Syria, is a distinguished visual artist renowned for her evocative watercolor paintings. She graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus in 1978, specializing in printmaking. Hreib's work is characterized by its spontaneous expression and a profound connection to nature, often depicting Syrian landscapes and traditional architecture with a unique blend of abstraction and realism. Her mastery of watercolors allows her to capture the delicate interplay of light and color, reflecting both the beauty and the complexities of her homeland.

Throughout her career, Hreib has held numerous solo exhibitions across the globe, including shows at the Arab Cultural Center in Damascus (1986), the Ministry of Culture in Beijing (1993), and the Women's Museum in Bonn (1996). Her works have been acquired by prestigious institutions such as the Syrian Ministry of Culture, the Jordanian Ministry of Culture, and the Museum of Modern Art in Cairo. In recognition of her artistic contributions, she received the Gold Medal at the Mahrous Festival in Tunisia (1993) and a Gold Award from the Chinese Ministry of Culture the same year.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Hreib has dedicated herself to education, teaching at the Damascus Teachers Training Institute and the Faculty of Education in Damascus. She has also been involved in art therapy programs for children with special needs. Since relocating to Chicago in 2012, Hreib continues to create and exhibit her art, sharing the rich tapestry of Syrian culture and her personal experiences through her compelling watercolor compositions.