Sergio and Kiara met at an international ceramic workshop at the Instituto Superior de Arte of Cuba in conjunction with the Biennale of Havana in 2002. Kiara initially went to Cuba because of her strong interest in Colonial Architecture and applied ceramics in the public space. At the time Sergio had been exploring the ways in which art can be brought into the public space. It was during their first encounters that they began discussing the possibility of combining their passions.

Two years later, in Montreal, where Kiara was finishing her degree and Sergio was doing an artist-residency by invitation at the University of Concordia, they began to work on defining the initial idea they had in Havana until they arrived at the decision to create architectural ceramics together.

They decided to move to the Kootenays for various reasons. Not only is it a beautiful and healthy place to live but it is also rich in natural clay deposits and other materials used in clay bodies and ceramic glazes. In the Kootenays, the concept of space is not as restricted as it is in urban centers and with the high level of home construction and renovation there is also a high level of interest in art and creative space.

After two years of experimenting with local materials and building our studio we opened our business, Ceramica311 in January 2007.

Sergio Raffo graduated with a MFA from the National Academy of Fine Arts, San Alejandro, Havana, Cuba with a major in Ceramic Sculpture and Technology. He also received a diploma in General Chemistry from the "Instituto Politecnico Jose Antonio Echeverria", Havana. From 1998-2004 he was a professor of Ceramics at the "Instituto Superior de Arte" (ISA), University of Havana. He is founder of the Experimental Ceramic Studio at the ISA. He is director of the project, "Barro Espiritual", a group of professors and students whose objective is to develop the application of contemporary ceramics within the urban landscape. From 2004-2005 he was an artist in residence by invitation at the Masters Sculpture Dept., Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec. Sergio is winner of various national and international prizes for large-scale ceramics works. His pieces can be found in the National Museum of Cuba, as well as galleries and private collections internationally.

Kiara Lynch graduated with a BFA with distinction from Concordia University, Montreal, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her focuses were in Art History, Architecture, Design and Multimedia. In Havana, Cuba, she studied the application of ceramics in the public space and over the course of two years, made two documentary videos on the architecture there. She also did a four month intensive ceramics course at the "Instituto Superior de Arte", University of Havana. It was here that she learned to do large-scale ceramic work as well as custom tile making. Other independent studies on the use of ceramics in the public space were completed in Montreal, Quebec. From 1996-1999 she worked as a muralist and landscaper in Ibiza, Spain, working with adobe, stone, and tile-mosaic.