'Quintessentially Cambridge' Art Exhibition Opens at Fitzbillies This September

We are delighted to support the new solo exhibition from Naomi Tomkys OBE, which runs from 12th September to 8th December 2025 at our King's Parade branch. 

'Quintessentially Cambridge' presents scenes from everyday life in Cambridge through Tomkys' unique, visual storytelling. Viewers will recognise iconic locations from around the city, like the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Arts Picturehouse, Fitzbillies, and more. Each oil painting captures a candid moment in time, including a queue of May Ball students, punters steering boats full of families, and a busy summer afternoon outside of Fitzbillies. 

"These paintings are a love letter to the city," says Tomkys. "From Chelsea buns to curried lamb, punt poles to silver screens, Quintessentially Cambridge celebrates the overlooked rhythms and pleasures that make this place endlessly rich and alive."

Naomi Tomkys OBE was born in London and trained at Central St. Martins. She now resides in Cambridgeshire and has exhibited nationally and internationally from The Mall Gallery, London, and held in collections in Paris, Chicago, Kuwait, Dubai, LA and several Cambridge Colleges. Most recently, Tomkys was selected for the Florence Biennale 2025 and won an Artboxy award show at Swissartexpo 2025. 

This is the second Tomkys exhibition hosted by Fitzbillies following last summer's 'Life at Fizbillies' collection, which featured intimate glimpses of Fitzbillies staff, customers, and cakes. 

Tomkys' work is available for purchase here.

Exhibition Details

Quintessentially Cambridge by Naomi Tomkys OBE

Fitzbillies, 15 King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SP

12th September – 8th December 2025

8am-6pm weekdays, 8:30am-6pm weekends.

Free Entry